1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 811 3838. Also. petition of the Federal Commodities Surplus Pope Sheppard Thomas, Okla. Vandenberg Reynolds Shipstead Thomas, Utah Van Nuys Corporation Local, United Federal Workers of America, urg Russell Smathers Townsend Walsh llng passage of the 5-day week for Federal employees; to the Schwartz Smith Truman Committee on the Civil Service. Schwellenbach Steiwer Tydings 3839. Also, petition of the United States Immigration and Mr. LEWIS. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Naturalization Local 53, U. F. W. of A, endorsing House bill Island [Mr. GREEN] and the Senator from Delaware [Mr. 8431, the Federal Workweek Act New York [Mr. WAGNER] are absent because No. 1105, American Legion, Brooklyn, N.Y., requesting sup of colds. port of petition No. 3729, which urges that the rights of The Senator from Illinois [Mr. DIETERICH] and the Sena citizenship be conferred on natives of the Philippine Islands tors from Montana [Mr. MURRAY and Mr. WHEELER], and now residing in the United States; to the Committee on the the Senator from Maryland [Mr. RADCLIFFE] are detained on Judiciary. important public business. 3841. By Mr. DEMUTH: Resolution of the Pennsylvania The Senator from Arkansas [Mr. MILLER] is absent, at State Planning Board, urging upon Congress the creation of tending a meeting of the project committee of the Rivers a permanent national planning board and suggesting that and Harbors Congress. the establishment of planning and conservation regions and I ask that this announcement be entered of record for agencies, as provided by the Norris, Mansfield, and similar the day. bills, be deferred pending study by, and report of recom Mr. AUSTIN. I announce that the Senator from North mendation from, said proposed national planning board; to Dakota [Mr. NYEJ is unavoidably detained from the Senate. the Committee on Rivers and Harbors. The VICE PRESIDENT. Eighty-two Senators have 3842. By Mr. PFEIFER: Petition of the Chamber of Com answered to their names. A quorum is present. merce of the State of New York, New York City, opposing any interruption of the pneumatic-tube mail service in the PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS city of New York; to the Committee on the Post Office and The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a telegram Post Roads. from the secretary of the Mississippi Senate embodying a resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of Missis sippi, which was ordered to lie on the table and to be printed SENATE in the RECORD, as follows: THURSDAY, JANUARY ~0, JACKSON, MISS., January 20, 1938. 1938 Hon. JoHN NANcE GARNER. (Legislative day ot Wednesday, January 5, 1938) • Vice President of the United. states, President of the Senate, Washington, D. C.: The Senate met at 12 o'clock meridian, on the expiration The folloWing joint resolution unanimously passed both houses of the recess. of the Mississippi State Legislature and was today approved by Governor Hugh L_. White: THE JOURNAL "Senate Joint Resolution 1 On request of Mr. BARKLEY, and by unanimous consent, "Declaring the attitude o! the Legislature of the State of Mis the reading of the Journal of the proceedings of the calen sissippi on the so-called antllynch bill now pending in the Senate dar day Wednesday, January 19, 1938, was dispensed with. of these United States. and the Journal was approved. "Whereas there is now .being debated in the Senate of the United States a bill generally known as the antilynching bill; and MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE "Whereas this bill. if enacted into law, would be an invasion of A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. the sovereign rights of the individual States of these United States; and Chaffee, one of its reading clerks, announced that the House "Whereas this said antilynching bill, if enacted into law, would had passed the following bill and joint resolution, in which penalize innocent parties; and 1t requested the concurrence of the Senate: "Whereas the enactment of this bill by the Congress of the H. R. 8432. An act to provide for a :flowage easement on United States would be an insult to the citizenship of the entire South; and certain ceded Chippewa Indian lands bordering Lake of the "Whereas the relations between the races in Mississippi are Woods, Warroad River, tJ.nd Rainy River, Minn., and for more amicable at this time than at any time since the Civil War, other purposes; and and the passage of this said bill would greatly endanger this H. J. Res. 530. Joint resolution authorizing the President status; and "Whereas this bill is a vicious attack upon the democratic form to invite foreign countries to participate in the ceremonies of government and upon the theory of States' rights and is con to commemorate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary trary to the purposes of the framers of the Constitution and the of the national ratification of the Constitution of the United founders of our Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it States in Philadelphia, Pa., June 17 to 21, 1938. "Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi views With grave concern this attempt to foist this political legislation CALL OF THE ROLL upon the Southern States, and urges the Senate of the United Mr. LEWIS. I suggest the absence of a quorum, and, in States to uphold the theory of States' rights upon which our Federal Government was founded, and submits that the passage order , to assure the presence of one, I ask that the roll be of the said bill would be a violation of the Constitution of the called. United States and an insult to the Southern States and the cit The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk will call the roll izens thereof; that Hon. PAT HARRISON and Hon. THEO. G. BILBO, Senators from Mississippi, and the Honorable WILLIAM E. BoRAH be The legislative clerk called the roll, and the following commended for their actions in opposing the passage of said bill; Senators answered to their names: and that the contents of this resolution be immediately tele Adams Burke Glllette Logan graphed to the Presiding Omcer of the United States Senate. Andrews Byrd Glass Lonergan Enrolled resolution being forwarded by mail." Ashurst Byrnes Guffey Lundeen MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, Austin Capper Harrison McAdoo By RAIFORD WATSON, SecretaT'IJ. Bailey Caraway Hatch McCarran Bankhead Chavez Hayden McGill The VICE PRESIDENT also laid before the Senate tele Barkley Clark Herring McKellar grams in the nature of petitions from members of the Com Berry Connally Hill McNary Bilbo Copeland Hitchcock Maloney mittee Pro Spanish Democracy, and the Communist Party, Bone Davis Holt Minton Eighteenth Assembly District, New York City, N.Y., praying Borah Donahey Johnson, Call!. Neely Bridges Duffy Johnson, Colo. Norris for the enactment of the bill (H. R. 1507) to assure to per Brown, Mich. Ellender King O'Ma.honey sons within the jurisdiction of every State the eq:ual protec Brown, N.H. Frazier La Follette Overton Bulkley George Lewis Pepper tion of the laws and to punish the crime of lynching, which Bulow Gibson Lodge Pittman were ordered to lie on the table. 812 _CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20
Mr. BYRNES presented the following concurrent resolu PRINTING SUPPLEMENT TO COMPILATION ENTITLED' "TREATIES, tion of the legislature of the State of South Carolina, which CONVENTIONS, INTERNATIONAL ACTS, PROTOCOLS, AND AGREE was ordered to lie on the table: MENTS" Mr. HAYDEN. From the Committee on Printing, I re Concurrent resolution thanking Senator WILLIAM E. BORAH, of Idaho, for his valiant, able, and patriotic fight against the pas port back favorably, without amendment, a resolution for sage of the so-called antilynching bill now pending in the which I ask immediate consideration. United States Senate The VICE PRESIDENT. The resolution will be read. Whereas the so-called antilynching bill now pending in the The resolution (S. Res. 220) submitted by Mr. PITTMAN United States Senate and the Senators from the South are making on the lOth instant was read, considered by unanimous a serious and unavoidable fight against its passage because it re flects on the South and its efforts for the enforcement of all laws consent, and agreed to, as follows: and its ability to handle a diffi.cult question under the conditions; Resolved, That there shall be compiled and printed as a Senate and document a supplement to the compilation entitled "Treaties, Whereas the b111 is unfair, unreasonable, and grossly sectional Conventions, International Acts, Protocols, and Agreements Be because it would impose big fines on law-enforcement officers in tween the United States and Other Powers,'' which shall be revised the South when they are powerless to prevent bands of men from up to and including December 31, 1937, and that 500 additional taking persons charged with the most heinous of all crimes--that copies be printed and bound for the use of the Committee on of rape--a crime that the lowest order of beasts, save man, never Foreign Relations of the Senate. commits, from their custody for immediate and speedy execution, while it leaves unmentioned and untouched thugs and gangsters EXECUTIVE REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE who, well dressed, parade in high-powered automobiles along the As in executive session, streets of the greatest city in the world and shoot down unsus Mr. pecting men and women for the money and jewelry they may find HARRISON, from the Committee on Finance, reported on their dead bodies; and favorably the nomination of Rufus W. Fontenot, of New Whereas that eloquent and forceful Senator, WILLIAM E. BoRAH, Orleans, La., to be collector of internal revenue for the dis from that far western State of Idaho, a lifelong Republican in trict of Louisiana, to fill an existing vacancy, which was politics, did on last Friaay, January 7, 1938, come to the aid of the southern Democratic Senators in delivering a most remarkable ordered to be placed on the Executive Calendar. address against that bill, defending the South and decrying the ENROLLED BILLS PRESENTED sectionalism of such a bill and discussing the entire question in such an able and comprehensive manner, showing that such a law Mrs. CARAWAY, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, would even harm the progress and advancement of the Negro reported that on January 19, 1938, that committee presented race and its relations to the white race in the South, and pleading to the President of the United States the following enrolled With the Senate not to meddle or interfere with the South in the bills: handling of this most difficult question: Therefore be it Resolved by the house of representatives (the senate concurring), S. 2550. An act to permit the printing of black-and-white That we, members of the General Assembly of the State of South illustrations of United States and foreign postage stamps for Carolina as representatives of all of our people of all races, striv philatelic purposes; and ing at all times to advance and improve the welfare of all of our people, do most sincerely and earnestly thank Senator WILLIAM E. S. 2940. An act to make confidential certain information BoRAH for his broad, patriotic stand on this matter, and respect furnished to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, fully and prayerfully commend the good reason, judgment, and and for other _purposes. common sense set forth in his address in the United States on F'riday, January 7, 1938, and ask the other Senators to join him BILLS INTRODUCED and those Senators who share in his views and the Senators from Bills were introduced, read the first time, and, by unani the South in their effort to set aside this unfair, unreasonable, and mous consent, the second time, and referred as follows: dangerous bill to make way for the more pressing legislation that awaits their attention. By Mr. NORRIS: Resolved further, That copies of this rewlution be sent to Sena A bill Harlem, in New of the national ratification of the Constitution of the United York, the city from which, I will say to the Senator from States in Philadelphia, Pa., June 17-21, 1938. Mississippi [Mr. HARRISON], one of the proponents of this measure hails. I refer to the junior Senator from New York NELLIE S. WICK [Mr. WAGNER]. . Mr. TYDINGS submitted the following resolution (S. Res. Of course, I do not mean to cast any reflection on the 224), which was referred to the Committee to Audit and able junior Senator from New York. I merely desire, I will Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate: say to the Senator from Pennsylvania [Mr. DAVIS], further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate hereby 1s authorized to bring home to the Senate the fact that these small Negro and directed to pay from the contingent fund of the Senate to minorities which permeate and which are located through Nellie S. Wick, widow of James R. Wick, late an official reporter of debates of the Senate, a sum equal to 1 year's compensation out this country in the North and in various cities of our at the rate he was receiving at the time of his death, said sum Nation-- to be considered inclusive of fUneral expenses and all other ·Mr. DAVIS. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? allowances. Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question only. PREVENTION OF AND PUNISHMENT FOR LYNCHING Mr. DAVIS. Does the Senator believe that the dis ' The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill Germany and Sweden. They struction, out of the broad language of their old constitutions. were Nordics, and remained to themselves. They are there These constitutions (like those of several other States) were now, and to a certain extent there is in that section of Brazil adopted at times when the idea of conferring suffrage upon Ne groes, as a race, had never yet entered the mind of man, and more progress and greater development than elsewhere in when free Negroes were so scarce that they were no more con the country, agriculturally and in every other way; and I templated by constitutional draftsmen than were Chinese or may say that the same condition prevails in some parts of South Sea Islanders. Chile and some parts of Argentina. Later on the equally comprehensive suffrage laws of New Jer sey, North Carolina, and Tennessee, where the population of free Mr. President, I should like to go into more of the details Negroes had become no longer negligible, were promptly reworded of this situation as it affects South America, because I feel so as to admit only white men; but, in New England, the mem confident that I could show the results of amalgamation of bers of that race continued so few that it was not thought worth the races to the same extent as I think I exhibited to the while to amend a constitution either to exclude or to admit them. Thus the Constitutions of Maine and Rhode Island remained as Senate in the case of Egypt and in the case of India and much unchanged after it was found that their language excluded also in the case of Haiti. But I agreed on yesterday to try Negroes, as did those of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachu to conclude my remarks today, although I may say that on setts after it transpired that their language admitted them to trus very important and very interesting subject I believe suffrage. In the Constitution of New Yark alone, of all the States up to 1868, was the Negro expressly allowed to vote; but even I could talk the rest of the week and part of next week. there he was discriminated against by a heavy property qualifica [Laughter.] But I promised to conclude today, and I shall tion, not applicable to the whites, which excluded about 90 per try to do so. I shall therefore now attempt to bring to the cent of the Negro voters. attention of the Senate the social problem confronting us, Ignoring the enforced acquiescence of the Southern States dur ing the reconstruction period, impartial Negro suffrage, when and that I say is confronting us today as reflected in the made an issue before the .people, has never obtained a majority proposed bill and similar bills that are now pending in the vote in a single State of the Union, save in Iowa and Minnesota, lower House of Congress. during the fall of 1868; and, at the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, it is believed that neither under the National nor any I repeat, Mr. President, a statement I have made before. State Government was there a single offi.ce, civil or mllitary, I like to quote this because it forms the basis, as it were, of filled by a Negro in the United States. my entire argument: "Political equality leads to social This aversion of the American people to Negro suffrage and eC":Iality, and social equality will eventually spell the decay omce holding, was almost as great as their hostility to Negro slavery. From early Colonial times a large portion, if not a ma aild downfall of our American civilization." I feel that I jority, of the white people of this country have been opposed, have brought the significance of this home to you, Senators. at least in theory, to Negro slavery. A majority of the States Before I go to a discussion of the conditions in Harlem I always prohibited it, and the remainder were deterred from abol might state to the Senate that I have on my desk a very ishing it only because of practical difficulties. But, up to the interesting speech, consisting of 78 pages. It is an address Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867- by Hon. A. Caperton Braxton, a distinguished laWYer of the The famous Reconstruction Acts, which really opened the Virginia Bar; as a matter of fact, president of the Virginia way for the adoption of the fifteenth amendment were Bar Association in 1903, I believe. In my opinion, it would ushered in. At that time the good old South held the bal- 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 815 ance of power, and the Federal Government, through its civilizations of Egypt and of India-"Take heed before it strong arm, sent soldiers into the South, took charge of our becomes too late." governments, and the fifteenth amendment giving the · As I said yesterday, it is my sincere desire to try to make it Negroes the right to vote, was adopted. possible for the white poople to live in this country with the Senators, if only the fifteenth amendment, giving suffrage Negro. What I am against is an amalgamation of the Negro to the Negroes had not been adopted we would be much race with the white race, because, just as sure as the sun better off today. shines, if we have an amalgamation of races we are going to Mr. SMATHERS. Mr. President--- have decay, the same as came about in ancient civilizations, The PRESIDING OFFICER CMr. RussELL in the chair). and results similar to those which took place in Haiti will be Does the Senator from Louisiana yield to the Senator from experienced by us, and we shall have similar results to those New Jersey? now being experienced in many of the South American Mr. ELLENDER. I yield to the Senator from New Jersey countries. for a question. Senators, I feel that the South was punished enough when Mr. SMATHERS. Does the Senator from Louisiana ap- the Federal Government saw fit to send Negro soldiers down prove a resolution adopted yesterday by the House of Rep- there, who paraded in New Orleans, to the disgust of the resentatives of the New Jersey Legislature urging the Sen- white people of that city, in order to keep in power a mulatto ator from New Jersey to vote for the antilynching bill? , governor. I do not want that to happen in my State again, Mr. ELLENDER. If I received a resolution of that nature and I do not want it to happen in this country if I can help from the Legislature of Louisiana I would send it back to it, "and I don't mean maybe." [Laughter.] them with . my compliments, and, believe me, I would write I continue reading: something they would not enjoy reading. [Laughter.] But, up to the Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867, the people Mr. TYDINGS.. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? of no single State had ever voted for impa.rtial Negro suffrage, nor Mr. ELLENDER. I yield to the Senator from Maryland had a.ny party (including the Abolitionists themselves)- for a question. Those, Mr. President, who were against slavery, those who Mr. TYDINGS. Who is representing New Jersey in the fought to free the slaves-- Senate of the United States-the legislature or the Senator ever declared for it in a national platform. On the contrary, from New Jersey? although in the decade immediately preceding 1867 no less than 27 of the 37 States then in the Union had amended their constitutions, Mr. ELLENDER. Of course, the Senator from New Jer • • • yet, in no single instance was the franchise extended to sey, Senator S?ttATHERS, is representing the State of New Negroes, but, in every case where political equality for Negroes had Jersey here, and I hope he will use his good judgment and been suggested, it had been voted down by decisive majorities. his good, common, horse sense in voting on this issue and not It must, therefore, never be supposed that the sentiment against Negro slavery was, by a.ny means, a sentiment in favor of Negro be guided by a few peanut politicians in his State. I know su1frage. . that the good white people of his State feel about this mat Even in some of the strongest antislavery States so decided was ter as the good people of the South do. Of course, I am the sentiment against Negro suffrage that no greater reproach nor not accusing anybody of politics on this bill, but the question more damaging charge could be brought against a public ma.n than is being asked, and I want to be frank in answering it. I that he favored political equality for Negroes. hope that every Senator within the hearing of my voice Political equality. Not social equality but political equality. will study this problem, will forget politics in considering it. Those people foresaw what· would happen-and I am not That is what I want the Senate to do-forget politics in con stretching my imagination in saying this-as did the people nection With this question. Do not look just for today or to of ancient Egypt and India-as Jefferson foresaw, and as morrow or next week but look to the welfare of the future Lincoln foresaw, and as Douglas foresaw. I shall read again generations of our American civilization. Forget yourselves. from the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and I propose to show that Do not be selfish. Be brave and courageous. both of those great statesmen would not under any conditions Mr. SMATHERS. Mr. President-- bow down to any such demand. Most statesmen saw the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from handwriting on the wall. They were not politicians, they Louisiana yield to the Senator from New Jersey? were statesmen. Men of conviction, men who loved their Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. country. Patriots. We read about them and we are proud Mr. SMATHERS. May I have my question answered? of what they said and what they stood for. We may not Mr. ELLENDER. If I have not answered it to the satis- agree with all they wrote but we admire them for their faction of the Senator from New Jersey- honesty and sincerity of purpose. Mr. SMATHERS. I asked the Senator if he approved of Senators, listen to this: a resolution. As far back as 1836 Abraham Lincoln was on record as opposed to Mr. ELLENDER. I did not read it. Negro suffrage. Mr. SMATHERS. That calls for an answer-"yes" or "no." I call to the attention of the Senator from Colorado [Mr. Mr. ELLENDER. I did not read it. I do not know what JOHNSON] that Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, the it contains. If the Senator will present it to me I shall be man who set the Negro free, did not believe in slavery glad to read it, to study it, and give the Senator my frank, and neither did he believe in Negro suffrage; he sought to unbiased, and unprejudiced opinion later on in the debate. preserve the Union, but he did not believe in political or social That is a bargain I will make with the Senator from New equality for the Negro. Jersey. I may state to the Senator, however, that if the I continue reading: resolution-to which he refers endorses the pending bill I would And in his memorable series of debates with Stephen A. Douglas resent and scorn it. in 1858, in order that his strong antislavery views mlght not expose I continue reading: him to the charge of favoring the heresy of Negro su1frage, he repeatedly emphasized his condemnation of it. In his first "pitched But, up to the Reconstruction Act of March 2, 1867, the people battle," as he called it, with Judge Douglas at Ottawa, Ohio, he of no single State-- said- Listen to this, Senators. I repeat that bY. reason of the Listen to this. This fell from the lips of the man who fact that the South just before the war held the balance of gave the Negroes their freedom, who fought to preserve the power the fifteenth amenament, granting the Negroes the Union, and who had a heart of gold and whose sympathies right to vote, could not be put over, and I predict now that the were for the Negro: fifteenth amendment is the one that is going to cause trouble, "I have no purpose to Introduce political and social equality be- · not for my generation, not for the generation of my children, tween the ·white and the black races. There 1s a physical dift'er or my children;s children, but for future generations, and I ence between the two which, in my judgment, w1ll probably forbid their ever living together upon the footing of perfect equality; and, am today giving to the people of America the same argu inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a. d11fer ments, the same warnings as were given the ancient white ence, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in :favor of the race to which 816 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 I belong having the superior position. I have never said anything that the advocates of impartial Negro suffrage could not then to the contrary; but I hold that, notwithstanding all this, there is have mustered a corporal's guard in a single State of the Union. no reason in the world why the Negro is not entitled to all the In the course, however, of the next decade, covering the period natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence of the war and the reconstruction, events transpired and condi the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I hold that he tions arose which made Negro suffrage possible of accomplishment. 1s as much entitled to these as a white man." The principal agencies which contributed to this result were: First, gratitude to the Negro soldiers who had served in the Of course, we in the South firmly believe in that prin Federal Armies--to "save the Union," as it was said; second, appre ciple. As I pointed out yesterday, we believe it and we hension lest the so-called rebel element regain control of the Federal Government; and, third, the desire to perpetuate the practice it in the State of Louisiana and throughout the Republican Party in power. Thus we have, as the inspiration South. Never to my knowledge has there been an effort for Negro suffrage, gratitude, apprehension, and politics-- made by the State legislature, or by any officer administer ing the State laws, to in any way not give to the colored man With the accent on politics. his property rights to the same extent as is provided for the Three agencies, but the greatest of the three was politics. white man. Further than that we give the Negroes good In connection with the statement I have just read, Mr. schools and hospitalization to the same extent that we give President, I desire to file and have incorporated in the RECORD to the white people. I said, "to the same extent." It may ·with my remarks an article by Mark Sullivan appearing in be that they have smaller schoolhouses, more cheaply built, the New York Herald Tribune of Jar..uary 20, 1938, entitled but because of economic conditions the South has not been "Negro Vote Called Real Prize at Stake in Antilynch Battle able to build any better. It is not because the South did Mark Sullivan Says Northern Democrats Must Pass Bill or not want to do so, but the South, because of economic condi Break Promise to Racial Group; South, No Party to Bargain, tions, had not been able to advance in· the matter of educa Mutinies." tion in the early days as much as it has done later, as the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the article Senator from Tennessee [Mr. BERRY] knows. will be printed in the RECORD. As I pointed out yesterday, the State of Louisiana in 1937 The article referred to is as follows: spent almost as much money for the education of the Negro [From the New York Herald Tribune of January 20, 1938] of the State of Louisiana as the State spent in 1908 for both NEGRO VoTE CALLED REAL PRIZE AT ·STAKE IN ANrlLYNCH BATTLE whites and Negroes. That is what we are trying to do for MARK SULLIVAN SAYS NORTHERN DEMOCRATS MUST PASS Bn..L OR the colored people, and we want to continue to do that, I will BREAK PRoMISE TO RACIAL GROUP; SoUTH, No PARTY TO BARGAIN, MUTINIES say to the Senator from Colorado [Mr. JoHNSON]. We want (By Mark Sullivan) to try to do what Jefferson said was impossible. As I have WASHINGTON, January 19.-For 2 weeks the Senate has been said here on two or three occasions, Jefferson took the posi occupied with the antilynching bill-to the exclusion of important tion that the two races could not live in the Nation sepa -legislation immediately pressing. The public must wonder why the rately; that sooner or later there was bound to be an amalga time and emphasis on the ant1lyn~hing measure. The question is the more puzzling when the state of mind of the mation. We are trying to make them live separately in the Senate is understood. Common judgment says that if the bill .south, to keep them to themselves. We are fighting against .comes to a roll call, perhaps 60 out of the 96 Senators will vote for amalgamation. it. But common judgment says also that all but a handful of the Senator would prefer that the bill be dropped. Why, then, is the I continue to read: measure kept before the Senate? Again, and upon a subsequent occasion, referring to the same For the answer I borrow the words of one who knows the answer subject in a public speech, he said: well. It is Dr. Stanley High. Dr. High, during the Presidential "I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any campaign last year, wa&-I quote the announcement of Dr. High's way the social and political equality of the white and the black publisher-"one of· President Roosevelt's closest advisers." He races." wa..<> a wheel horse in the campaign. He was head of the Good Neighbor League, which was amliated with the Democratic Na That is Lincoln talking, the man who emancipated the tional Committee. Because of the altruistic implications of the Negroes. - phrase "Good neighbor league" and because of certain humani tarian associations of Dr. High, he and his organization were a "I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors valuable regiment in the Democratic army. After the campaign, of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold omce or intermarry and from his familiarity with it, Dr. High wrote a book, Roose with the white people- velt--And Then? From this book the following sentences are detached. In the condensing, punctuation and a few words have That is Lincoln, the great emancipator of the Negro race, been changed or omitted, but without altering the meaning. The speaking- extract explains what has been going on in the Senate: "and I will say, in addition, that there is a physical difference NEGRO RALLY HERE RECALLED between the white and black races which I believe will ever forbid "The most remarkable gathering in the Presidential campaign the two races living together on terms of social and political of 1936 was a Negro mass meeting staged in mid-October in Madi equality." . son Square Garden in New York City. The expenses of the meet Notwithstanding these repeated denials, it seems that the editor ing were largely met by the Democratic National Committee. of an Ohio paper, in September 1859, charged that Mr. Lincoln was • • • In 60 other cities similar mass meetings were simulta really "in favor of Negro suffrage." But in a speech shortly after neously held. A half hour of the high spot of the Madison Square ward at Columbus, Ohio, Mr. Lincoln indignantly denied the meeting was broadcast over a coast-to-coast radio network-with charges; he quoted from his former speeches on the subject; and, all southern stations carefully omitted from the hook-up. • • • ·in conclusion, said: A few weeks later most of the northern Negroes deserted their "I did not say that I was in favor of Negro suffrage; but • traditional allegiance to the Republican Party and voted Demo twice-once substantially and once expressly-! declared against cratic. • • • it. • • • I presume the editor of that paper is an honest and "For the time being the Democrats believe that in a good many truth-loving man, and that he will be greatly obliged to me for Northern States they have swallowed up a large proportion of furnishing him thus early, an opportunity to correct the mis hitherto Republican Negroes. The Negro leaders are at the point representation he has made before it has run so long that malicious now where they propose to make up their own minds on political people can call him a liar." and economic questions. They are becoming aware of their elec toral importance. If they seek to deliver the vote it will . be That was Abe Lincoln speaking. because-in terms of. benefits for their people--they have got a price for it. The antilynching law was supported in the Senate These repeated declarations of Mr. Lincoln-against Negro suffrage by New York's RoBERT F. WAGNER and in the House by JosEPH A. were not only made in public speeches but were published at the GAVAGAN, Democratic Representative, whose district includes most time in the newspapers far and wide; and, in the light of those _of Harlem. It was an effort to repay-in legislative coin-the debt views, of which he had never then indicated the slightest modifica of the Democrats of the North to the Negro voters who deserted tion, he was nominated and elected President by the Republican the Republicans in the last election. • • • The Negroes, in Party the next year. It was even claimed by the Republicans at any close election, represent the balance of power in Pennsylvania, that time that advocates of Negro suffrage practically did not exist; New York, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. The electoral votes of and that the alleged favoring of it by their party was a baseless those States is 157 (out of a. total of 531) ." charge-a kind of bugaboo gotten up by the Democrats to scare · Here, then, 1s the situation. The Democrats in the last cam .off Republican voters. In fact, Mr. Lincoln declared in one of paign took from the Republicans the vote of Negroes in northern his speeches about that period, that he had never seen anyone cities. The vote thus acquired was extremely valuable. Now, who was in favor of political equality for Negroes. partly to pay their 1936 debt to the Negroes--but even more to Such was the s~ntiment of the country when the Civil War hold the Negroes in future elections-the Democrats want to pass .broke out in 1861; and, with the possible -exception of New the antllynch..ing measure and take other steps appealing to the Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, there can be no doub~ Negroes. 1938 _CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 817
SOUTH TOOK NO PART IN IT from Harlem. I wish to say to the Senate that this "god" is But not all the Democratic leaders. Observe in the quotation treated as a real god by certain American citizens. Imagine from Dr. High, that, when the Democrats broadcast the Negro meeting in Madison Square Garden on the radio, "all southern that! I sent to the Library of Congress yesterday or the day stations were carefully omitted from the hook-up." The north before and obtained only four volumes written about this ern Democratic leaders prudently arranged that their left hand "god," but I am told that there are a few more. Can you im £1hould not know what their right hand was doing. agine, Mr. President, civilized American people, white and But that prudent strategy now brings embarrassment. The Democratic Party is in the position of a man who has given a black, but principally black, by the thousands, seriously be mortgage on his farm-but finds that his wife is unwilling to sign lieving in Father Divine as God, and in his angels Magdalen the deed. The wife says she was not a party to the contract and and Mary and Bouquet, as I shall show after a while to be a does not propose to be bound by it. The southern Democratic Senators resist payment of the debt to the Negroes;· they resist fact. enactment of the antilynching measure. · I propose further to show to the Senate that in some parts It is the northern Democratic leaders who are trying to pay the of America, principally in Harlem-because in Harlem, as I debt for past gratitude--and for hope of favors to come. Not all stated yesterday, there is the thickest Negro population in the northern Democrats. Those who really want to enact the bill &re mainly a few from the Northern States in which the Negro the country, somehow or other they are permitted to prac vote is large, and who, therefore, have a direct personal interest. tice almost any kind of voodooism they desire, any kind of .Some northern Democratic leaders from States having few Negro cult or religion. I believe that in most of the Southern voters support the measure only tepidly, and only as a contribution States they do not dare practice such cults or voodooism, to party policy in the North as a whole. Some northern Demo cratic Senators see the grave constitutional objections to the because we do not permit it there, nor do we permit them mearmre. They see also the political liabilities which are an offset to practice other forms of barbaric fanaticism. We in the to the political advantages. They see the resentment of southern South do not fool with such things, but in Harlem it seems Democrats, the party cleavage. They see also that much of the public everywhere may resent the cultivation of group pressure- that they thrive on it. the passage of a measure constitutionally and otherwise dubious Let me go back to Harlem and read a few paragraphs from merely for the purpose of appealing to a very small fraction of the a little vqlume entitled "The Incredible Messiah-The Dei total electorate. fication of Father Divine," by Robert Allerton Parker. As for the Republican Senators, one of them, Mr. BORAH, has pointed out the constitutional and other objections to the -meas Father Divine, I will say to the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. ure. But most of the Republican Senators recall that in the past, BARKLEY J, happens to be the son of a Negro slave from when the Republican Party had the Negro vote, that party intro Georgia. duced and supported antilynching measures. Mr. BARKLEY. He cannot help that. Mr. ELLENDER. I continue reading: . Mr. ELLENDER. Of course, I appreciate he cannot help it. In tracing the progress of Negro suffrage in the United States, I will read about two paragraphs from chapter 2 of from the beginning of the Civil War up to the adoption of the this volume by Mr. Parker to verify to a certain extent fifteenth amendment,-little notice w111 be taken of· the acts of the the picture of Harlem I have been attempting to paint. ~ Confederate States. That the white people of those States were always unanimous in their opposition to Negro suffrage and that Harlem intellectuals scoffed at the god from Sayville. Cynics :their final submission to it was in invitum are facts too well saw in the little messiah just another gum-beater, which is known to bear contradiction, or even rehearsal. The Union States Harlemese for one who talks incessantly and accompllshes noth alone being free from the close of the war till the proclamation ing. To these he was but one more addition to the vast throng of the amendment, their acts only are worth considering as of prophets, fortune tellers, voodoo men, chiromancers, magicians, expressive of public sentiment during that period. psychoanalysts, soothsayers, rug cutters-- Mr. President, it is not my purpose to keep on reading this Whatever that means- very interesting speech, and because of its length I am not cassandras, evangelists, pseudo-Mohammedan marabouts, miracle going to ask for its incorporation in the RECORD, for I do workers--all the hawksters of hope who infest Harlem s noisome side streets and set up :fly-by-night tabernacles in dilipidated and not wish to burden the RECORD; but I ask the Senators who mildewed parlors, in chapels, or in deserted vegetable stalls. In are interested in this question to read this speech, this Harlem there seemed to be !ollowers for them all, because every volume entitled "The Fifteenth Amendment--An Account type of black man in the world had been lured there by the world-wide publicity given to its highly exaggerated advantages: of Its Enactment," by A. Capperton Braxton, and think black Jew&- · about it. Let it sink in. Now, Mr. President, I am just about ready to bring home By the way, I did not know there were black Jews to you and to other Senators, to those people in the audi from Abyssinia, natives of the Cameroon, half-breeds from the ence, and to the American people the question of religion as Antilles, refugees from chain-gangs. it affects the Negro people and to show how easily they are That is the kind that. go to see what is doing in Harlem. persuaded iri.to ·voodooism and into various other forms of But though the intellectuals scoffed, there were thousands upon religion of sucl~ character that they seem to me to come thousands in whose souls the atavistic hopes of a deliverer slept; from the wilds of Africa. thousands who still wanted a new leader to lead them to the I am not saying this, Senators, with the idea in view of promise~ land-_ · discredituig the Negro people, but my statement is based on Imagine that in America- historical facts. The quicker · the Negro people of this thousands who turned their minds stubbornly away from the Nation can be made to realize that the. white man is their teaching of the white man, who reverted to faith in voo.:too, magic, superior and that they must work with the white man in miracles. , Beneath Harlem's surface cynicism, its disi!lusion, lay order to further advance themselves, I say, the better off bottoinless reservoirs of faith, credulity of gullibility, as you will. Harlem was Babel-a Babel in distress. Though the most in will the Negro people be. cessant motor traffic of the metropolis passed through its avenues, I repeat what I said on the floor of the Senate during the white men knew little or nothing of its elements or its spirit; course of this debate on two or three occasions, that if the ignored the daily miracle of the many who lived by their wits alone; knew nothing of the amazing variety of languages that Negro societies scattered throughout the Nation, if the Amer were spoken there--a dozen different African dialects, Arabic, ican Federation of Labor, if the church societies throughout Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Russian-added to its own indigenous the country who are backing this bill, · would only get down Harlemese, an argot never acquired and rarely understood by "ofays" (Harlemese lor "whites"r. · · · · -- to earth, study the problem, and spend the money· that is . Few white men had ever heard ·of the Commandment Keepers, being spent for·· false propaganda, in · an effort to ·really that sect of black Jews who worshipped in a· synagogue in West One eradicate lynching through education they would get some Hundred and Twenty-eighth Street, and who, during the feast of where; but I say that the effort to advance the Negro socially, Succoth, attracted attention by rituals in their winc:1ows and on the roof tops. Theirs was only one of the swarm of cults and by this form of legislation and by other forms of legislation mysticisms, theologies and theosophies, with their •interminable will get. them nowhere, and they might as well realize it now. colloquies concerning the nature of God and His relation to man. Let us take a little excursion in Harlem in New York. I To Harlem, God was not a pale and bloodless concept kept alive presume everybody knows a little about Harlem, where it is in academic test tubes, but a living, dynamic power, just as He located, and who comes from Harlem and who goes to Har had been in Athens, or Rome, or Alexandria. lem. I am sure that there are few people in this audience That, Senators, paints a little picture of what is being who have not . heard of Father Divine. the famous "god" practiced today in America, in Harlem, by these colored LXXXIII--52 818 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 people who congregate there. Because of the fact that there Think of "god" having a political department and a re is in Harlem that congregation of Negroes, who go unmo search department. Think of it! [Laughter.] lested by the police when it comes to the practice of so-called By which "The Eyes of the Lord Runneth To and Fro Through religion, voodooism, I say that they will eventually, as has out the Whole Earth." Swinging music for all this was furnished happened in Egypt, India, and other countries, return to by a band which included not only the usual brasses and wood winds but also violins, harmonicas, accordions, ukuleles, guitars. barbaric lunacy; and I do not want that kind of people to banjos, and a portable xylophone. head the Government in this country, nor to sit in these seats in the Senate, if I can help it. Picture this seat formerly I thought they were going to leave out the banjos. The occupied by Clay being desecrated by Father Divine or anY. instrument is liked by the colored. [Laughter.] of his angels. Watching the Kingston parade, an American Legionnaire named Harry Whitney stiffened in patriotic anger when he beheld the Now, let me give you a little history of this "Father announcement, "Peace, Father Divine is God,'' stitched on a. United Divine" before I go further. States flag. This bit of history happened to appear in Time, the weekly magazine. It is· not very long, but it will give you an idea I do not blame him. Think of that! "Father Divine is of Father Divine, the god of the people of Harlem, a sect God," stitched on a United States flag. down there that really believes, according to the books from He summoned police, who stopped the bearer, a white woman called Fair Angel, directed her to take the fiag back to the boat. which I am going to read, that Divine--the son of a slave, Later, on the premises of the "promised land" where Father Divine I Will say to Governor Murphy, of Michigan, who happens was watching a few of his followers swim in a pool whose out to be in the Senate Chamber at present-is God himself. houses were marked "For Sisters and Brothers," the police asked for the flag, got only the little cultist"s soft reply: "I am bringing That . type of religious fanaticism is being practiced in peace to everyone, even if they don't want it." America; and, as I said yesterday, I do not want Father Out next day wa.s the first full-length biography of Father Divine or any of these cults to go into the State of Missis Divine, god in a. Rolls-Royce, by John Hoshor, 37, a white Man sippi, where the Negroes predominate, or into Louisiana, ha.ttanite, one-time stockbroker, now a free-lance adman and in vestment counsel. Impressed by Father Divine as a self-adver where about 40 percent of our population are Negroes, and tiser, Biographer Hoshor claims to have spent 6 months in and work our colored people into a frenzy by voodooism and out of a. Divine "heaven" in Harlem, pretending to be a convert other means, and cause them to revert to a religion making and, he says, almost becoming one. Adman Hoshor guesses that Father Divine disburses .1.500,000 gods out of onions and goats and everything else. I do not a year on his dominion- want that to happen. [Laughter.] Now, let me go back and read from Time, a weekly maga Heaven knows where he takes it from--some say from zine published in this country, which is very widely read. I collections, some say from a retired millionaire, and others, read from the issue of Aug,j.st 31, 1936. The title of the from Russia- article is "Religion." Imagine! This article in the maga a collection of boarding houses, coal yards, laundries, restaurants, zine is entitled "Religion"-a new sect coming in; a sect that garages operated by the busy little cultist and tenanted and sta1fed by fanatical blacks who have surrendered their economic is being written about by one of our leading magazines, so as well as spiritual affairs to Father Divine. Author Hoshor as to bring it to the attention of the Senator from Pennsyl estimates Divine's following at 2,000,000, although other observers vania [Mr. DAVIS] and the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. set it as low as 20,000. Father Divine himself claims 30,000,000. LoDGE] and the rest of the American people. Listen to Although Divine disciples now like to believe that their "god" Father Divine's history-"God'', not Father Divine; "God"!- was not born but was "combusted"- At 3 o'clock one morning last week in Manhattan, Negroes of all However that could come about-pray tell me. I thought sizes, shapes, and shades began gathering at an uptown pier on the combustion took place in gas engines only naughterJ- Hudson River. Unmolested by police, the blackamoors shouted, one day in 1900, at the corner of Manhattan's Seventh Avenue and stomped, sang, strummed. By 6 o'clock there were 2,000 of them. One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Street, and, although the father Then up rolled a big, blue Rolls-Royce, out of which popped a. in 1932 told a court in Mineola, Long Island, that he had been born little brown man clad in gray suit, panama hat, white shirt, and in Providence, R. I., 52 years before as Maj. Morgan J. Devine, honey-colored tie, in which gleamed a $5 gold piece. "Here comes it is now well known that he was born George Baker, in Savannah, the body,'' bellowed followers of Rev. Maj. J. ("Father'') Divine. Ga., 58 years ago. The little man boarded one of two excursion boats moored at the pier. "We got the body," shouted Negroes hanging over her rails. That is Mr. George Baker, a Negro from Georgia, who has Then Father Divine boarded the other boat, whose passengers cried, "Now we got the body." At a quiet signal from Harlem's been able to collect millions of dollars, Heaven knows how; benign cult leader the two boats churned out, headed up the but I propose to show in a few minutes that he is so closely Hudson. connected with communism that all of this money may be Seven hours later the excursion arrived at Kingston, N. Y., coming from Russia. As I shall show after a while, some where Father Divine has lately acquired a "promised land"--some 1,000 acres of farm land, worth $160,000. body is giving it to him, nobody knows definitely. It may be that some big, rich philanthropists are trying to feed a Think of that in America! I will say to my colleague lot of poor people through Father Divine; I do not know; but [Mr. OVERTON], a promised land, bought by Father Divine that money comes from somewhere, and I am going, after for the members of his cult; trying to imitate the Bible. a while, to read the platform of Father Divine and show how That cult is now willing to pray to its god, Father Divine, closely allied he is to communism. I am certain the money who happens to be the son of a Negro slave from Georgia. does not come from heaven. That man, the "god" of Harlem, After a while I predict that they will perhaps be praying the "god" of 30,000,000 subjects in the United States-so he to an elephant, or to a ftock of goats. claims-is being publicized, photographed, and written about Plan is to settle the promised land with divine disciples who do all over the country, and taken seriously by many-too many! not mind field work. While Kingstonites gaped, the divine ex Biographer Hoshor reveals that the father's religious life began cursionists debarked, formed a parade in which one of Father when he was a hedge cutter 30 years a.go in Baltimore after be Divine's touring cars, with a stuffed white dove on the radiator had abandoned a wife and four children. cap, was preceded by mounted Negroes in berets and riding togs, followed by female "angels" in green and white satin, wearing This is "god"-a fine fellow! A deserter of wife and banners blazoned "Father Divine is God." · children- Think of that in America-these "angels" of Father From a black preacher called "Father Jehovia," George Baker got Divine, wearing banners inscribed "Father Divine is God"; the nucleus of his theology: the idea that God is in everyone. Taking the name of "The Messenger," Baker went to Brooklyn, letting the world know about it, I will say to the Senator soon became associated with another of Father Jehovia's followers from Idaho [Mr. POPE]. Think of that in America! If who called himself "The Reverend St. Bishop, The Vine" and let that is not a return to barbaric lunacy, I am willing to quit each of his colleagues consider himself not only the repository of a. talking right now. [Laughter.] god, but a god in fact. When the Reverend St. Bishop, The Vine was arrested, tried, and jailed for a sex offense, Baker once more Pennons and banners carried by marchers showed that Father changed his name, this time to Major Devine. (The improved Divine has a. political department, a. research department- spelling was a subsequent idea..) With a. dozen followers. one of 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 819 them n amed Penninah who was to become known as Mother Think of that, I suggest to the Senator from Tennessee Divine, the onetime George Baker moved to Sayville, L. I., where he founded h is first "heaven," a cooperative boarding house where [Mr. BERRY]; when he goes to the telephone and asks for his everybody worked except Father Divine. He took care of the wife, and she responds, instead of. saying "Hello," he must wages. say "Peace." [Laughter.] He took care of the wages, this book says. All were paid Mr. DAVIS.. Say what? to him, and, as I said yesterday, I would not be surprised to Mr. ELLENDER. He shall say "Peace." I ask the Sen :find that a lot of those poor Negroes who believe that Father ator from Pennsylvania [Mr. DAVIS] and the Senator from Divine is God turned their pockets wrong side out and gave Massachusetts [Mr. LoDGE] to think of that. [Laughter .J all they had to him. That is where he might get much of Mr. PEPPER. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for his money, although, as I said a while ago, there is some a question? reference in one of these books, although I do not know how Mr. ELLENDER. In just a moment. Before one can get authentic it is, to the effect that Father Divine probably gets a doctor to come to the house to treat him, as I will show his money from Russia, from communism. a little later, the doctor must guarantee to make one well, - and let him beware if his patient dies. Again, I call the By t hrifty management and accepting all the property of those who joined him as "angels," Father Divine was able to serve big attention of the Senator from Georgia [Mr. RussELL] to the and tasty banquets in his Sayville "heaven,'' attract visitors from fact that if he happens to telephone long distance to his Harlem. So m any Negroes were journeying thither on Sundays folks back in Georgia, instead of saying "Hello" to them, he that white neighbors became alarmed and enraged. In 1932 Father Divine, who had come to believe that only he was God, was must say "Peace." [Laughter.] tried for conducting a public nuisance. He was convicted, sen Mr. RUSSELL. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? tenced to a year in jail and a $500 fine. Three days later the trial Mr. ELLENDER. I yield first for a question to the Sen judge died of a heart attack. Said Father Divine: "I hated to ator from Florida. do it." Mr. PEPPER. Did Father Divine prescribe that the salu [Laughter.] tation ·"Peace" be limited to domestic conversations only, or Imagine that! Here was a judge who found Father Divine used generally? guilty of a criminal offense and sentenced him to jail, and Mr. ELLENDER. He apparently makes no distinction, just because, 3 days later, the breath of life was taken from but applies it to all, and I would advise reflection on the the poor judge who had sentenced him, Father Divine says, part of Senators who are in favor of legislation of the kind "I hated to do it." I venture to say that upon the death of now pending, and who are willing to abide by the teachings that judge and the subsequent statement of Father Divine he of Father Divine, and who are willing, as Mayor LaGuardia got quite a number of converts. What does the Senator from did yesterday, as I read from one of the magazines, to bow Pennsylvania [Mr. DAVIS] think about that? [Laughter.J down to "his highness"-although not because he believed • Today Father Divine has 60 heavens in the District of Columbia, that he was God, but because Father Divine could deliver 24 States, and 4 countries. votes. That may be the reason why so many people are Sixty heavens; and I venture to say that all the angels anxious to please these little congregations in Harlem, in of every one of those 60 heavens are backing the pending Chicago, in Indianapolis, and in other cities of this Nation; bill, and perhaps there are listening to me now some who there may be many heavens out there, and there may be belong to those heavens, and are here praying that this pend many angels in those heavens who are pleading that Father ing bill and similar bills designed to give the Negroes social Divine will please help them to elect "So-and-So" and "So equality shall be enacted, so that Father Divine can have more and-So" to office so that "So-and-So" and "So-and-So" can latitude, and can go to Louisiana and Georgia and Alabama, give them social equality with the white folks. by the aid of the Federal Government, and there show us how I now yield to the Senator from Georgia. to manage and handle the Negro problem. Father Divine had Mr. RUSSELL. Is this the same Father Divine the Sena better spend his money, time, and efforts in attempting to get tor from Louisiana referred to yesterday as a former con the Negroes of the South to help themselves and to help us in stituent of mine, to whom the mayor of New York pledged preventing the heinous crime of lynching as the result of rape, his support before four or five thousand people in Harlem, which all of us in the South detest as much as do the people of and said he would help him get anything he wanted? the North and those sponsoring this bill. Mr. ELLENDER. He is the same "god." [Laughter.] Mr. RUSSELL. We may therefore assume that the mayor Today Father Divine has 60 heavens in the District of Co lumbia, 24 States, 4 countries. of New York is willing to substitute the word "peace" for "hello" in telephone conversations. Think of that-60 heavens in the District of Columbia, Mr. ELLENDER. I have no doubt about it, and probably 24 States in the Union, and 4 countries. he would gladly agree to it so as to further strengthen him The biggest collection, in Harlem, costs $30,000 a year to op self in future elections. erate. Besides his Rolls-Royce, he owns an airplane, manned by I repeat what I read last: three dusky flying angels. Divine has organized a "righteous government movement,.. [Laughter.] with a political platform demanding that doctors guarantee cures, That is a very appropriate name for the airplane opera "peace" be substituted for "hello" as a telephone salutation, life tors, "dusky :flying angels." [Laughter.] insurance be abolished. . Though the man whom his followers believe to be God gets I have not had the time, but I would like to have the around to as many heavens as possible, he is to be seen most often time and opportunity to :find out why it is this "god" is in Harlem, sermonizing at length on such topics as The Super desirous of abolishing life insurance. I am unable to stretch mental Relaxativeness of Mankind. Divine has organized a "Righteous Government Movement." my imagination to :find a reason. However, I may say that I promise the Senate that before this fight is over I will "A Religious Government Movement," and after a while I look this matter up and try to enlighten Senators as to why shall read to the Senate a platform which has been inserted Father Divine is preaching the abolition of life insurance. in the RECORD--I did not check this up, and I now ask the Listen to this: clerk to check it for me and send to my desk if he :finds it, Father Divine habitually ends his letters: "This leaves me well, the platform which the junior Senator from New York [Mr. healthy, joyful, peaceful, lively, loving, successful, prosperous and WAGNER] had printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD here at happy in spirit, body, and mind and in every organ, muscle, sinew, vein, and bone, and even 1n every atom, fiber, and cell of my Washington. That is my information, though I may be wrong bodily form." about it; but I will ask the clerk to check it up for me. [Laughter .l Divine has organized a "righteous government movement," With a political platform demanding that doctors guarantee cures. That is the way he ends all the letters he writes. After "Peace" be subs~ituted for "hello" as a telephone salutation- a while I shall read, I may say to the Senator from Delaware 820 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 [Mr. ToWNSEND], a letter Father Divine sent to the Presi here a picture of him speaking through the "mike." Sena dent of the United States, in which he incorporated the tors, look at him, "the Divine god," a Negro man who is receiv same ending, and the President of the United States was ing any amount of publicity because he has posed as God. invited to come to one of these jubilations in order to "git Many people in America believe that he is a god. They religion." [Laughter.J believe in all the "angels" that are surrounding him, who Now, I leave this little article, which appeared in Time, collect the money and bring home the bacon. They actu from which I have been reading, and shall read a little ally believe all that. Here in· America we have a condition passage-! state to the Senator from Michigan [Mr. VAN that is startling, and one that will gain momentum if we DENBERG], written by Faithful Mary. [Laughter.] Faith continue to in any way grant social equality to the colored ful Mary, I may state to the Senator from Delaware [Mr. man. Just as sure as I am speaking to the Senate, they ToWNSEND J, happens to be one of the angels of one of are going to come here tomorrow and the next day and the those heavens in Harlem. Father Divine's "No. 1" angel. week after, urging further privileges if this legislation is [Laughter.] This is so ridiculous that I cannot help laugh enacted. I can then hear the "angel" saying, "Boy, we ing myself, but it illustrates what America is headed for sho did make a good job of that. We did pass the anti if we permit an amalgamation of the Negro race with the lynching bill. The new thing we's gwine to work for now white race. is to defeat the Jim Crow law in the South." That law, As far as I am concerned, I would vote today to repeal as you know, forces segregation of Negroes from whites the fifteenth amendment, granting suffrage to the Negro, in public conveyances. before it is too late. I do not want any Negro Senators to The passage of this bill will draw the Negro closer to the sit in the Senate, and I do not want any Negro Governors to social plane of the white man. sit in the Governor's chair of any State. That is what I Senators, we made a valiant :fight for that separation in the mean. I do not want to be misunderstood. I say it char South, and I ask Senators in all earnestness not to disturb us itably, with due respect, with the sympathy that I have but to let us handle the matter as we have in the past. and always have had for the Negro people. Lynching has been on the decline. The Negroes are our The Negro people need the white people more than the wards. We have treated them sympathetically. We know white people need the Negro people. History shows that their characteristics, and all we urge is that this problem be whenever a Negro people has seen the light of civilization left to the States to handle. This problem is entirely an it was a light inspired by the white people. The Negroes internal one. As I have preViously said during this debate on knew no civilization before they came to Egypt. They came the :fl.oor, so far as I am concerned, I shall gladly support a uncivilized from dark Africa. When they came to India they bill giving to the Federal Government the right and jurisdic knew no civilization. They knew nothing beside the bar tion over such crimes of lynching as originate in one State barism under which they had lived in dark Africa. and are accomplished in another. [A slight pause. Some The Negroes came to this country, to America, in bondage. one was talking to Senator ELLENDER in a low tone of voice) They came here as slaves, and they did not know the light I was talking about the problem down South. of ciVilization until they reached the shores of America. I We have been doing all in our power to solve this problem. say that the American people have been a blessing to the When I say "we" I mean the good people of the South. We Negroes. The Negroes have prospered here, they have have a few vagabonds among the white people in the South, progressed. But the Lord pity them, and the Lord pity us, the same as are to. be found in the North. There are a few if there is an amalgamation of the Negroes with the whites. cutthroats in the North among the whites. All sorts of I say again to Senators and to the American i>eople, to people are to be found in this world. But I say that the good those who hear me, to the colored people: Political equality people of the South are as much, if not more, against lynch leads to socieJ. equality, and social equality will eventually ing than are the people of the North. This crime is one that spell the decay and downfall of our American ciVilization. is mostly intrastate. That is, the crime is one that takes Not only will the white people suffer then, but I say that the place mostly within a State, and there is hardly a Southern Negroes themselves will suffer likewise. State which does not have a law on its statute books prohibit In Haiti the Negroes were not able to manage their own ing lynching and making it a criminal offense, and that all affairs and have their own government. They lack the those who participate in or who promote the lynching are intelligence. liable to punishment by hanging. We as sovereign States are Many persons will say, What has that to do with the willing to carry out such a law. We have been making a pending bill? The danger is not Written in the pending bill, good job of handling this situation. Lynchings have de I will say to the Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. LoDGEJ. creased from over 300 some years back to as few as 8 last year. It will not be seen in the bill in so many lines thereof. But, There is not a crime in this country which has so declined as I said yesterday, and as I said the day before, and the day as lynching. If Senators from the North, from the East, and before, as I have been saying for 5 or 6 days, if the colored from the West will let us in the South alone, I can assure man is given a foot by way of political equality, he is going them that that heinous crime is going to become a thing of to demand a yard, and if he is given a yard, he will demand the past. There is not a southern governor who is not at a rod, and if he is given a rod, he will demand 5 miles. tempting and trying by every means he knows to prevent [Laughter.] That is what I am afraid ot: And I am warn lynching. There is not a sheriff in any of the parishes of my ing America now, before it is too late to change its course, State or the counties of the other Southern States who is not to be on the watch and to heed the advice which is now trying to do the same thing. If let alone, we are going to given, and which was given by the leaders of the white race succeed. If the Federal Government, however, is permitted in Egypt and the leaders of the white race in India when to go down there and handle this matter, it will make as they told the then dominant race to beware of amalgamation. dismal a failure of it as it has done in Washington in han They warned them to keep the colored people out. dling crimes by Negroes. If the Federal Government is per Bringing a Negro slave into Egypt was made a capital mitted to do that, the Southern States will simply step aside offense. Why? Because they felt that if the Negroes were and say, "All right, Uncle Sam, you want to do the job? permitted to come and to amalgamate with the white race You go ahead and do it. We will let George do it." Enact their civilization would decay. I do not want that to haP ment of the bill will not prevent lynchings, but on the con pen here in America, because I love America too dearly. trary, it Will increase them. Let me now read a little booklet entitled "God, He's Just Let me go back and read about Father Divine again. I a Natural Man," written by Sweet Angel Faithful Mary, one know Senators are interested in Father Divine. Of course, I of the occupants of one of these heavens in Harlem, and let do not mean to accuse anyone of belonging to his cult. How us see what that "sweet angel" has to say about her "god." ever, I would not be surprised if it were found that there are [Laughter.] some within sound of my voice today who believe that this I do not know that any Members of the Senate have Negro from Georgia, the son of a slave, is God, and that ever seen a picture of this "god,'' Father Divine. I show Faithful Mary, the author of this little green book. is an 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 821 "angel," and that Bouquet, another faithful, is an "angel." Mr. CONNALLY. If Father Divine can control the Sen If I thought I could get results, I would ask those of my ate in 1938, is there not some basis for his pretensions that audience in the gallery who so believe to hold up their hands. he might control the Presidency in 1940? But I am not going to embarrass them right now. [Laughter.] Mr. ELLENDER. I leave the Senator to drawn on his own The title of this little book is "God-He Is Just a Natural imagination. [Laughter.] Man." The title of this particular article is "'Divine' in Mr. CONNALLY. I said "if." I did not say he was Politics." Remember, the article is not headed "Divine Poli going to do it. I said "if" he could do it. tics," but it is headed" 'Divine' in Politics." [Laughter.] Mr. ELLENDER. Certainly; there is no doubt about Let us see what Faithful Mary has to say about Divine in that. politics and what, as an angel, as a close bodyguard to him, Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield she may have overheard him say. Being an angel, sitting on for another question? the throne with him and next to him, she ought to know all Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. about him. [Laughter.] Now let us see what this faithful Mr. CONNALLY. Let me ask the Senator if it were per soul, this faithful angel, has to tell us about her "god": missible under the rules for the Senator to yield in order It is Divine's aim to become a political factor. Many of his that a quorum might be called and be present, so that all lawyers have allied themselves to him with that thought in their Senators who are supposed to be for this bill might hear the minds. Senator from Louisiana, would he or not be agreeable to I wonder why "god" Divine should get the lawyers with that suggestion? him? Mr. ELLENDER. I do not care to yield for that. purpose. They, as well as Divine, realize the potential power at the polls . Mr. CONNALLY. I understand; but, if it were permis of his thousands of followers. sible, would not the Senator be willing? Mr. ELLENDER. I cannot yield except for a question, Lawyers seem to be good politicians. [Laughter.] but some Senators have shown little interest in the past. In the past many candidates seeking to be elected have appeared I suppose Senators are attending to other official business. in the "kingdom" of Divine and spoken to his followers in an attempt to win their votes. Any candidate is privileged to come I would rather not yield for a quorum call. and speak in the "kingdom." Mr. CONNALLY. I did not ask the Senator to yield. I This is faithful Mary speaking- said "if it were permissible for the Senator to yield." . Mr. ELLENDER. I would yield if it were permissible, but Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia, of New York City, former Mayor John O'Brien, and congressional and senatorial candidates have under the rules, if I should yield for a quorum call in order spoken before Divine's followers. that Senators might come into the Chamber and hear what Sister Mary, one of the angels of Divine, has to say, I might Faithful Mary says: not later be permitted to tell them about it. Besides I Former Mayor John O'Brien and congressional and senatorial am not tired. candidates have spoken before Divine's followers. Let us see what else is said by this angel who knows As I said a while ago, one of the authors of this bill, Senator what she is talking about, for she is very close to Divine: ROBERT WAGNER, happens to be from New York. I do not He believes that he can do what Townsend and Coughlin know how long he has been in the Senate, but I presume that failed to do. He has stated to me that he will then have enough Angel Mary would not misrepresent things, and apparently money to spend a million dollars a day during the height of the congressional and senatorial candidates have spoken before campaign. Divine's followers. I wonder where he will get that amount of money? "Divine" has never pledged himself to any particular party or He says that money will buy anything. candidate but has always stated that he leaves it to his followers to be guided by their higher intuitions. Mr. President, did you ever hear of such a perverted mind Imagine "god" entrusting a thing like politics to his fol for a "god"? Here is a "god" who is at the head of 30,000,- lowers. He might be giving to his followers more power than 000 people who says that money will buy anything-a "god" he claims for himself. Think of it! speaking. He himself will not run but will back white converts of his 1n However, there was a rumor that he supported LaGuardia. the Democratic and Republican primaries. There are men in public Just a rumor. office now willing to have the backing of "Divine"- He did not come out and support LaGuardia before election. ! presume there are- Though after election when LaGuardia won, he claimed that it was and will be under his dictates. his power which elected him to office. Is that true? Listen to what Angel Mary says. I will Of course he wanted to get close to LaGuardia. repeat it. He is clever enough not to put himself on the spot by picking a ~ere are me~ candidate. He was afraid he might pick the loser as some other poli Listen well to this, Senators- ticians do. [Laughter.] in public office now who are willing to have the backing of "Divine" and will be under his dictates. This-- He has sold his followers on the idea that he will control the Presidency in the year of 1940. Says Angel Mary- Remember this is Sister Mary, one of the angels of one This "Divine" has told me- of Divine's heavens in Harlem. There is no question about its authenticity. Angel Mary Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? was told by her "god" what I have just read, so there cannot Mr. ELLENDER. Not now. She is mighty close to "god" be any doubt about it, because I presume an angel would Divine; I suppose she rubs elbows with her "god." And not lie. [Laughter.l here is Angel Mary warning the people of this country, tell I continue the reading: ing the American people-listen: His followers created a lot of attention when they attempted to He has sold his followers on the idea that he wm control the register for voting under their kingdom names, such as- Presidency in the year of 1940. Listen to this mockery- By the eternal, if Father Divine can control 30,000,000 sweet Charity, Loviness, Sweet Rebecca, etc. The board of elec· people in this country, I will say to the Senator from Texas tlons attempted to stop them but eventually by the court's order EMr. CoNNALLY] that he might be able to control the elec they were allowed to vote under these names. tion in 1940. Watch out! Imagine that! They were allowed to vote under the "an Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield gelic" names which were conferred upon them by "god" for a question? Sister Magdalen, Sister Bouquet, Sister Rebecca. The au Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. thorities permitted these "angels," under those names, to 822 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 come and vote for a person who was running for public I am wondering what he thinks of the fact that in the first omce. quarter of this century the white race engaged in a war in This was a wonderful publicity stunt for "Divine," for the eyes which more human beings were butchered than in a thousand of the politicians were turned upon him. years before, these thousand years stretching back through In January 1936 the righteous government convention of Father the Dark Ages and encompassing some of the greatest wars Divine's peace mission was held at the St. Nicholas Palace in New York. Various political parties were invited to send their repre in all human history-a war, by the way, that did not involve sentatives. The hall was packed with thousands of followers from the so-called colored races. all parts of the country. The March of Time was there filming Mr. ELLENDER. Of course, I do not know what is in the this spectacular demonstration. Senator's mind; but, as the Senator realizes, countries as a Just imagine, Senators, this "god" drew so much attention whole are very much like human beings. They have lust. by his practices that he was not only publicized in most of They want power. They want this and they want that. I the newspapers of the country, in many of the magazines, as believe the powers that engaged in the war to which the I have shown, in several books that were written about him, Senator refers may not have thought in the light of what but also in the movies. And here is another book from which the people of their respective countries desired but thought I am going to read after a while, entitled "God in a Rolls of what was desired by the leaders at the head of those Royce." Think of "god" riding in a Rolls-Royce down Fifth countries who were lustful for power. Avenue and through the streets of Harlem, with a stuffed As I showed yesterday, I think, a good many countries dove of peace on his radiator, surrounded by his "angels," have lost their power, not because of mongrelization, as I and having one, I imagine, driving his car. indicated in answer to two or three questions, but many Various political parties were invited to send their representa countries have suffered submission because they have been tives. The hall was packed with thousands of followers from all taken over by brute force. In this discussion I am not try parts of the country. The March of Time was there filming this ing to advert to the downfall of countries other than those spectacular demonstration. When the camera was focused upon the audience, Divine asked the people to pull out their white which have fallen because of mongrelization. I did not go handkerchiefs and wave them while singing to the music which into other phases of the subject. As the Senator knows, I was being played. Each person generally had two white handker have limited my discussion solely to some of those countries chiefs to wave. This was psychology on the part of Divine to whose civilization has decayed because of the fact that their exa~gerate his numerical strength for the benefit- ancient culture became mongrelized. Of what? Of followers? No Mr. BONE. I was asking the Senator about the effect of of politicians. the impact of war on a so-called white civilization and a white culture. Does the Senator believe that another great That is what Sister Mary says. In other words, here was world war, in which we, together with the other white races "god" with 30,000,000 subjects trying to fool the politicians. of the earth, should engage, might be disastrous in its effects Think of it! [Laughter.] on the white race and on so-called white culture? ''Divine" was in all his power that night. Democrats, Repub Mr. ELLENDER. Yes. I fear this, Mr. President. Of ltcans, Socialists, and Communist representatives were there. All of these speakers were pouring out the philosophy of their parties course, I may be wrong about it, but I do not like what is and at the same time paying homage to "Divine", who sat there in going on today in the Far East with reference to Japan his chair upon the platform, smiling at his triumphal entrance and China. I fear that if China and Japan finally unite into politics. remember, they are both of the Mongolian race--and if The Communist Party has rurted with Divine, making advances to him, but to no avail, as he refuses to come out openly for Japan is able to make good soldiers of the Chinese people, communism- at a time not far distint, there may be a contest between the white and the Mongolian races, if that is what the Senator This is Sister Mary speaking- has in mind. though he has gone so far as to have his followers turn out and I do not fear, however, that the white race will fail to sur parade with the Communists. vive and maintain its supremacy, because of the advancement But yet he is not for them, so "Angel Mary" says. of science, inventions, warfare, and everything else. I believe Mr. BONE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for a that the Mongolian race and lower classes of races are in the question. nature of copyists when it comes to scientific inventions. The PRESIDING OFFICER CMr. MINTON in the chair). They are great imitators; and, if the result of such a contest Does the Senator from Louisiana yield to the Senator from were left strictly to the genius of the white race in comparison Washington? with the genius of the Mongolian and the other lower races, Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question; yes, sir. I am not troubled as to what may befall the white race. Mr. BONE. I wonder if the Senator has seen the current Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for issue of the Washington News, containing an article by a a question? prominent Washington, D. C., writer, Max Stern, who quotes Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. from southern newspapers, including two newspapers from Mr. REYNOLDS. In pursuance of the inquiry directed to the Senator's State--the New Orleans Tribune and the New the able Senator from Louisiana by the able Senator from Orleans Item-and also a quotation from the Gallup poll, Washington, is it not true that the white races have declared showing the percentage of southern voters favoring the Fed wars upon each other; but is it not also true that those in eral antilynching bill. the Far East, the Mongolians, war against one another with Mr. ELLENDER. I have not, Mr. President. out ever taking the trouble to declare war? Mr. BONE. May I give this newspaper to the Senator? Mr. ELLENDER. That is what is happening today in Mr. ELLENDER. I shall be glad to have the Senator hand China. I do not know whether or not it is customary in that it to me now; and at the conclusion of my remarks, if I am part of the world. able meanwhile to look at the article and comment on it, I Mr. BONE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield further? shall be glad to do so. If I cannot do it today, I shall be Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. glad to look at it a little later. Mr. BONE. Is the moral effect of war any less devastating Mr. BONE. I am glad to hand the newspaper to the and demoralizing and degrading by reason of the fact that Senator. May I make a further inquiry of him? there is not a formal declaration of war, or does the moral Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. degradation arise from the fact of war itself? Mr. BONE. That is my purpose. Mr. ELLENDER. I do not think it ·makes any difference. Mr. ELLENDER. All right. Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? Mr. BONE. The Senator has made a very remarkable Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. speech, in which he has clung very closely to his text. I have Mr. REYNOLDS. Does not the Senator think there really enjoyed hearing the Senator's discussion of the historical is a moral obligation on the part of those warring without background of many of the matters to which he has adverted. declaring war to let their adversaries know they are coming 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 823 to kill them, so that those whom it is proposed to kill may I am going to read now from the Daily Mirror. I will ask have an opportunity to keep from being killed? the Senator from North Carolina [Mr. REYNOLDS] not to Mr. ELLENDER. As I said, I do not think that makes go away. This is very interesting. much difference, because they will be killed either way it I read from the Daily Mirror, New York, Friday, July 2, goes. [Laughter.] 1937. Listen well! I am not going to discuss it. I am Mr. BONE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield further? merely going to read it, and then let the Senate draw its Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for-a question. own conclusions: Mr. BONE. Does the Senator feel that a man who is Hunt finds "peace" in jail cell. killed in an undeclared war is any less dead than a man who is killed in a perfectly properly declared war, started Hunt is the man who was accused of the crime. according to the noble rules of this game called war? Los ANGELES, July 1.-Wearing trousers and blouse of rough, blue denim for the first time in his life, John Wuest Hunt, heir to a Mr. ELLENDER. No, indeed; they are both. dead. lollipop fortune and follower of Father Divine, colored cult leader, [Laughter.] today wielded a mop in his jail cell here while awaiting sentence Mr. POPE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for a as a Mann Act violator. question? Hunt, who called himself "Jesus the Christ"- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from ! do not see how Divine could permit one of his followers Louisiana yield to the Senator from Idaho? to call himself "Jesus the Christ" when Divine claimed that Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. be was "god." Anyway, this fellow Hunt, who was dubbed Mr. POPE. I have listened with a great deal of interest "Jesus the Christ"- to the recital of the exploits of Father Divine. I am won in the fanatical cult, said that he seduced Delight Jewett, 17, dering if the Senator thinks those exploits are confined to Denver schoolgirl, to "provide the world with a new redeemer." any one race. Does not the Senator have in mind instances Think of that-"to provide the world with a new re of white persons conducting the same sort of a performance, deemer," so as possibly to oust Father Divine. [Laughter.] or persons of the yellow races, or of any other race or class A Federal jury found him guilty last Wednesday of transporting or group of people in the world? Would they not be likely the girl to his Beverley Hills home here for immoral purposes. Up to do the same sort of thing if they could do so, and get for sentence tomorrow, he faces 5 years in Federal prison on money, and get power, and have numerous followers? McNeil Island. Mr. ELLENDER. Mr. President, the Senator from Idaho Hunt was optimistic over his fate. need not go beyond the city of Washington to find that out. Think of that-optimistic, hopeful, confident. _ There are such persons here in the city of Washington-high "I have found peace and prison bars cannot change it,'' he jackers, racketeers, men who have no moral standing. They said. "I wired Father Divine after the jury had been out 8 hours exist all over the country. That is what I told the Senator that I was serene and unsullied. They may imprison my body, and the Senate a while ago--that down South today, in but they cannot imprison my spirit." Louisiana, in my own parish, where I live, within a stone's This is "Jesus" speaking. throw of my home, probably, there are white men who, ''If it is decreed that I spend 5 years in prison I will remain morally speaking, are only about 6 inches high. They do placid. I have found peace." not have morals. When a few persons of that kind get This is "Jesus Christ," a disciple of "god," finding peace together and lynch a poor colored man, as often happens, in a jail cell. the history of lynching in the South will show that it has "Besides, I need a rest. I need time to work on a book I am often happened that these small gangs were led by men low writing." in morals. I say it is an indictment of the good people of Three codefendants with Hunt, Howard B. ("John the Baptist") the South to come before Congress now and bring up a bill Smith- that tells us that we do not know how to handle our own Another "angel" I suppose. [Laughter.] internal affairs-- Mrs. Agnes ("Mary Magdalene") Gardner. Mr. POPE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield for a further question? I thought she was the authoress of the book I have here, Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a further question, but after but I see it was written by "Faithful Mary." [Laughter.] the Senator asks it I should like to make further answer to And Mrs. Betty ("Peaceful Mary") Peters, all members of the his first question. New York cult, were acquitted. They had accompanied Hunt and Mr. POPE. The question in my mind is as to the point the girl here from Denver in Hunt's $12,000 automobile. the Senator desires to make with reference to the particular Mr. President, that is the case where one of Father Di individual who is carrying on this sort of a racket, and the vine's disciples represented himself to be Jesus, and after fact that he is a Negro. A white man might do the same representing himself as Jesus, seduced this young girl, and thing; so what is the point of emphasizing the fact that he was helped by three other "angels" from some of these is a Negro rather than a white man? "heavens" of Father Divine. Mr. ELLENDER. Mr. President, I said a while ago that I continue reading from the book by "Faithful Mary." I a few white men might do that; they might have a dozen or was reading from the last paragraph on page 44: so followers; but they, so to speak, would peter out in a few The Communist Party has flirted with Divine, making advances days or a few weeks, when they were caught up with; but I to him, but to no avail, as he refuses to come out openly for am told that Father Divine is still going strong, and that he Communism, though he has gone so far as to have his followers turn out and parade with the Communists. He has done this with is still being catered to in politics. the thought in mind of the publicity resulting in his participating In further answer to the Senator's question as to whether in a Communist demonstration. or not any whites joined these cults, I say that they did. Many political leaders appearing before the followers of Father The little red or brown book that I have here gives ex Divine have committed themselves indirectly to calling Divine amples of it. I wish I had time to read them. It is only "god." 2:30 o'clock now. I may have time before 5 o'clock. It Mr. President, that is how far these politicans go, and may be that I can cite a few instances to illustrate exactly I think I pointed out yesterday from an article appearing in the point about which the Senator has just asked, and that the Forum that Mayor LaGuardia accepted an invitation to is, that of these so-called "gods"-these "voodoo men" as one of these meetings, and did tell Father Divine that, so far they are termed in our section-! am going to show you an as he France. France ington, I will say I do believe there is such a move. going today, to my way of thinking, is heading toward a degrada on in a few countries. I do not know the details. tion of her civilization, just as in the case of Egypt and of Mr. BONE. I mentioned no country. India, unless . she curbs the mixing of the whites and the Mr. ELLENDER. I do not know the details at present, but Negroes. it is my recollection that a movement was started in Mexico As we all know, France has a colony in Africa not very not long ago to oust Catholicism, and that such a movement far fro~ her own shores, and there is no inhibition against was started in other countries. I have not familiarized my bringing into France inhabitants of that colony. As is well self with the conditions leading to those changes. I am not known, many of the soldiers who were sent from this coun familiar with the facts except casually. try to fight in France were colored men belonging to colored It was my purpose to devote my time and my efforts solely regiments, and it is a historical fact--I have seen it stated to a discussion of countries where decay of civilization, in print on many occasions--that our Negro soldiers left progress, art, and literature set in by reason of the amalga- . quite a good many descendants in France. I have seen that mation of the predominant white race in those particular statement in writing many times. I do not know how many countries with the colored people who were brought there and were left, but I am told the number amounts to thousands. enslaved. I think the Senator from washington [Mr. BoNE] On the streets of Paris, the streets of Lyons, Marseille, and will agree with me, if he has either heard or read parts of my other cities in France it is not at all unusual to see quite a speeches with reference to Egypt and India, that there were number of colored children who were born during the World civilizations in each of those countries which were of a very War and who were the offspring of some of our American high order. The people were progressive and well advanced colored soldiers. If that were the only mongrelization affect in all the arts and sciences and had considerable knowledge ing France, I should say that it might not hurt, because of surgery. As I have pointed out, the scientists of today are there is not a sufficient number of such mongrels to injure employing methods which were used back in the early the race. In the case of a race which is only slightly Egyptian days. That shows how far advanced that ancient mongrelized, not mongrelized too far; in other words, let us civilization was. say that the country has 50,000 mongrels out of an entire India had an advanced civilization. That country had population of 50,000,000--ethnologists maintain ·that if no advanced a considerable distance in its knowledge of surgery. other mongrelization sets in, if no other impure blood comes The moment the rigid rules of the old caste system in India in, in the course of a few generations, notwithstanding the were relaxed, however, and the intermarriage of the white fusion of the mongrel into the community and the mixture people with dark races was permitted, degradation set in, so of that mongrel blood with that of the dominant whites, that that today India, a country which at one time was proud of mongrel blood will soon work itself out. its heritage because of its advances in agriculture, in science, Besides suffering because some American Negro soldiers and in every other line, has lost all of its former glory. To who went to fight in France left some of their descendants day science of medicine in India ts nil. I am sure the Senator there, France has not taken steps to prevent the immigration from Washington [Mr. BoNE] is familiar with some recent of Negro population from across the Mediterranean Sea, from Indian history which shows that those people believed in and northern Africa, and it is thought that if France does not practiced voodooism the same as Father Divine is attempting put a stop to that influx of Negroes, does not prevent its to practice and will succeed in putting over here in America Negro colonists from coming across the Mediterranean into if he is permitted to go on unmolested. France and mixing with the French people, France, sooner As I pointed out, when discussing Indian and Egyptian or later, is headed for a mongrelization of its pure white race; history, I showed that their early religion contained some of and, in that event, I predict that the civilization of France, the dogmas and doctrines that are now taught and that are its fine arts, its medicine, its science, its culture, is going now believed in by civilized peoples of today, but when there down to decay to the same extent as did the arts, the culture, was a mongrelization of the white races, that first occupied the literature and the science of Egypt and India and little those progressive countries, with the colored races, what haP Haiti, and that the fate of France will be the same. pened? A decline will be noted in their religion and a re Now, Mr. President, let me go back to "god"-this "god" turn to the barbaric religious beliefs of Africa, in which the who rides in a Rolls-Royce. By the way, before I forget it, people prayed to elephants, goats, chickens, doves of peace, let me say that, in answer to a question by the Senator from and things of that kind. Washington [Mr. BoNE], I spoke of the degradation of re I am trying to show what could happen in this country. ligion in India. I am sure that most of those who hear me Father Divine says he has 30,000,000 Americans who believe have read about Mahatma Ghandi, the great Indian reformer. in him. He, Father Divine, the son of a Negro slave, born The reason I mention him now is that he is mentioned very in Georgia, says, "I am God." What will his followers choose prominently in this book. The author of the book seeks to to worship after he dies? They might easily go back to the make some kind of comparison between Father Divine and barbaric lunacy of Africa. Mahatma Ghandi, and to show that in some respect they Mr. BONE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield to me seem to agree on certain religious principles. .for a question? Unlike Ghandi, who declared he was "literally sick of adoration Mr. ELLENDER. I yield. of the unthinking multitude," the plaudits o! his listeners are 826 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 meat and drink to Father Divine. After interminable, repetitious Here is what one of the disciples, Brother Lamb, said: verbosity saturated with polysyllabic words, into which, like an empty bottle, his hearers could pour any meaning they wished, yet Brother Lamb also stated that the "accident of our complexions With each sound mortised together by a crescendo of intensity, the was in no way related to the purity of our souls," and that we colored lord climaxes his ambiguity by paraphrasing Mae West's were all equal members of the family of God. The divine dis "How'm I doin'?" with "Now, isn't that wonderful?" and his ciples live this truth and "when they enter a restaurant and some proselytes, sozzled with enthusiasm, cry out in one concordant are refused service they all decline to eat there and leave." voice, "Wonderful, God; truly wonderful." He quotes nobody. His own word is sufticient authority. Once Here is an innovation that Father Divine is practicing. in a great while he will refer casually to the "first four books of In other words, if Angel Mary or Angel Bouquet happens to the New Testament," or for purposes of illustration repeat a pas go into some restaurant on Fifth Avenue, and is refused ad sage from the Scriptures; but, unlike the average preacher, who mittance and permission to eat there, the rest of the cult uses a Biblical text for the foundation of his sermon, Father Divine uses quotations from the Scripture as a very minor adjunct. soon know it, and they keep away from that restaurant. I wonder if the proprietor is angry about it! [Laughter.] In other words, if a person were read this book, he would to A drive has already been started in Baltimore, according to be bound to conclude from the fact that Father Divine calls Brother Lamb, to wipe out racial discrimination there. himself "god" and that he has created "angels" to sit around him, that he has forsaken the Christian religion which is Brother Lamb, one of the disciples, one who lives in now dominant in our country. heaven, is working in Baltimore, trying to wipe out racial I venture to say that if Father Divine were permitted to go discrimination there. I desire to state that before I get on unrestrained, the chances are that this civilized country through today it is my purpose to read to the Senate the of ours might revert to the barbaric lunacy which is practiced platform that this "god" is preaching throughout the in darkest Africa. It may take some time for this to come Nation. about, but all that Father Divine needs in order to come The local leader 1s a disciple "of our complexion," and 1s being assisted by Father's spirit and the other children. through all right is a little time, a little encouragement, and a To the question why he selected that particular spiritual name, little money, and a little more power so that he can deliver Brother Lamb replied, "That describes my ideal of life." to some of the politicians scattered throughout the country, In other words, "What is your name?" "Brother Lamb." who are willing to sacrifice our American civilization in order "Why were you called 'Brother Lamb'?" "Because that de to attain selfish, petty omces for themselves. scribes my ideal of life." In speaking he makes full use of his arms, feet, body, and of facial expressions. With his arms reaching, but not stretched, Asked about politics, Brother Lamb told on one hand of the towards his audience, the elbows slightly bent and his hands attempt of the politicians to get Father's support and votes, and turned inward, .as though he is ready to pull his heart from his on the other hand of Father's continual harassment by the minor officials of the health, fire, and building departments in New York body, he tells them: "When I say make your mental and your City. spiritual contact-- "They impose on us," he stated, "rules and regulations that they This is Father Divine speaking; this is one of his doc overlook in every other building in Harlem." "Why doesn't Father Divine use his political influence on them?" trines; listen to it-- he was asked. "When I say make your mental and your spiritual contact, it "Father wouldn't do that; he works only through the spirit," means to contact me by harmonizing With my views and dialing was the answer. Continuing, Brother Lamb spoke of a woman in on the same, by doing exactly what I would have you do." judge who the day before had come to Father to ask his cooperation Also, "How can you make your contact if you are living in races, in establishing an institution for prostitutes. He added, "Father creeds, and colors?" doesn't believe in that either, but perhaps some basis of cooperation When he speaks one appreciates the truth of the second verse can be found." of one of their more popular songs, "Father Divine has you and "Why are there so few missions in the South?" the questioner me in the palm of his hand." desired to know. · "Father has missions in all the important large cities of the That is the title of one of the popular songs. I will repeat South. Many more down there would like to join With Father, but the title. they are afraid of the civil authorities." "Father Divine has you and me in the palm of his hand." (In That is down South. They are not so much afraid of the the other verses he has, respectively, the world, the politicians, and civil authorities down there as they are of the law itself the President in the palm of his hand-) which prevents the practice of such religious cults as operate Think of that!- in Harlem. We do not permit it down there. In between their hallelujahs, he impresses on them, "'This truth "Many more down there would like to join with Father, but they· has been birthed out." are afraid of the civil authorities." Brother Lamb agreed thA.t In other words born in me. He continues, "It is not confined Father's work was facing very great d11!lcult1es below the Mason to a person or persons, but is with the sonship degree of God, which and Dixon's line. am I. It's wonderful. It's brought into experience and manifested by one even so is the fathership degree, which am I. It can be You may bet your last dollar he told the truth that time! universalized. I spoke last night through the telephone, but I The next paragraph is devoted to a person to whom I paid don't have to speak through the telephone. I am everywhere. It my respects awhile ago, by the name of John Wuest Hunt, is a blessing that one is ignorant enough to be radical enough to visualize some that has been materialized. The same can be ex who seduced a young girl from Denver. It is not my purpose pressed by someone else." And plagiarizing the question Jesus to read the life history of that follower of Father Divine. Christ asked the apostles, he loudly inquired: Now let me come to Lily Dove. Lily Dove happened to be "What do you call me." another "angel" of Father Divine, one of those glorified They answered, "God," and almost swoon in their own en thusiasm. "angels" selected to associate in "heaven" with Father Divine. [Laughter.] this That is how this cult is hypnotized by son of an ex Lily Dove, a coal black, baby-faced girl about 25, who works in Negro slave, and I am just wondering what is going to hap the front office of the Spoken Word, pointed to a facsimile of a pen when poor Father Divine dies, and where he is going. postcard recently carried in that publication. The original post This book is very, very interesting. I could read all of it . card had been mailed from China to "God, Harlem, New York, to you, but it would take quite a while, perhaps a little U. S. A.," and delivered to Father Divine. longer than I or you should like to stay here tonight; so I That was the only address on that postcard-just "God, shall select a few passages from it, just a few little scattered Harlem, New York"-and of course Angel Lily Dove was paragraphs here and there. I am going to tell the Senate very much gratified to find out that a postcard sent from the title of this book again, so that Senators will have the China, thousands of miles away, merely addressed "God, opportunity of getting the book from the Library and reading . Harlem, New York," had reached the "Father," the "god." it, I will say to the Senator from Massachusetts rMr. LoDGE], She was so proud of it that they made facsimiles of this post and digesting it, so that they may see for themselves to what card, and are showing it throughout the country. I am extent this "god" has been able to obtain followers and to again stretching my imagination-so that new adherents collect millions of dollars, apparently, in order to carry on, as of this cult may be made. I can just imagine these poor I have been demonstrating to tbe Senate. people saying, "Why, God is known everywhere. He's known . 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 827 cut in China. We'se got a postcard from China. The only principle is written in the platform of Father Divine himself. address on that postcard was 'God, Harlem, N.Y.,' and she I shall read from that platform after a while. just come away to Harlem! Therefore, we'se sure that God Before I go any further in reading from this book, I is known away out in China!" want to exhibit to the Senate a picture of Father Divine. The girl disciple stated: Here he is, in all his glory! Look at him! Here is "god!" "The Government don't recognize Father's 'Peace', and they [Laughter.] He is shown making a radio speech to his make us pay double postage; but that shows they know who adherents, trying to get converts, I suppose. Does the he is all right; they know he's God." When, a few minutes earlier, a nonbelieving visitor had acci Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. LoDGE] see that picture? dentally knocked several copies of the religious periodical off a Here is Father Divine making a speech over the radio; desk onto the floor and offered his courteous apologies, "I'm sorry," mind you, "god" making a speech over the radio I I shall etc., to Lily, she smilingly answered: "Why be sorry? It's wonderful." read the announcement he was making when this photo.:. Whether she was referring to the law of gravity or just life graph was taken. Listen to it: in general, she didn't specify. I have not yet done anything to what I will do--not so much But continuing on in reference to the postcard, she added that as a percent of a percent of a percent of a fraction of a grain of "Residents of China have his address, and it's the destination of what I will do universally, as well as among you. travelers from Finland, Germany, Australia, South Africa, the Pacific coast, and other points throughout the world." I will read it again. Perhaps it was hot understood, Apparently she liked to talk, and continued: "People have been though I read it just as it is under the picture. This is talking about God for many years, but today, a God whom you can't see or never have any personal contact with just doesn't Father Divine talking over the radio to his "angels," to his .fill the bill. A promise of some home far beyond the clouds, with followers: milk and honey flowing freely, really isn't what it takes to keep I have not yet done anything to what I wm do--not so much going down here, on terra firma. If God can't take care of me as a percent of a percent of a percent of a fraction of a grain of here and now, then how can I know or even believe He'll do so what I will do universally, as well as among you. very much after I'm dead and gone?" Some of these days I am going to ask some one to tell Senators, that quotation from Lily Dove, an "angel,'' shows me what that means. [Laughter.] a notable deviation from the Christian principles which are I continue reading from the book: now being taught and which form the dominant religion in l;his country. As I pointed out, when there was a mongrel He's condescended to be as one with the seething masses, who have otherwise been forgotten, in their struggle for existence, and .tzation in India and in Egypt, the first weakness was shown to see that they get the right to live and eat regularly. Now, all in the fact that there was a reversion from the dominant in all, I ask you, what more of a god do you want, than one who'll religion to the old barbaric, idolatrous religion which pre give you shelter, food to eat, clothes to wear, and freedom from sickn_!=lss, worry, and fear? Now, isn't that wonderful! And then vailed across the seas, whence the ancestors of the mongrels to think he's made Harlem his home and receives his mail only came. That was the first sign of decay. Here in this book a few doors up the street. It's truly wonderful, I say, don't you? we have quotations from the "angels" themselves, from As Jimmy Walker once so aptly answered, "Who could say 'No'?" Father Divine, "god" himself, telling what he professes and With practice Lily Dove could almost convert Satan. Apparently both Harlem and the colored race are going to have believes in; and those doctrines and principles are far re a plethora of evangelistic orators following in the wake of Father moved from the dominant Christian religion which is now Divine. Some of the younger among his followers, although ap being practiced in civilized America. As I pointed out in the parently with little education, can already harangue and 6Xhort an audience like experts. The black hope's chauffeur, known by case of the other countries, the moment that sort of thing the "angelic" name of ''Mister Charlie," a gaunt, colored youth sets in-the moment you have a decay in religion you can in his twenties, wearing an ordinary brown suit instead of his expect mongrelization of the race and inevitably there fol regular chauffeur's uniform, stood up in front of a crowd packed lows decay of the civilization of the nation. in the Sixty-third Street heaven and handled his listeners with the proficiency of an astute veteran. Her black, childlike countenance was deceiving. It brightened He told them, "I heerd Sister Freedom say tonight that we perceptibly now, as she became enthusiastic, almost inspired, about didn't have no plank in our Righteous Government platform her leader, "Harlem is New York's hot spot, a melting pot where about taxation and tha~ we should adopt one. Well, I don't know vice and crime are commonplace." anything about it, but I'm going to tell you what that plank will be." That is what she said. I am still quoting the "angel" now. One minute his audience was shaking the ex-armory with laugh Truly, God knew where he was most needed. With the poorest ter, and the next minute there could be heard on every side, housing conditions, hospitalization and educational facilities, an "That's Father talking through that lad," as the young orator area where the ballot to this day hasn't even made first base, told how- where churches, leagues, and welfare organizations haven't been abh.to bring about the necessary change, Father Divine has made Listen to this: life livable for counless thousands. As the young orator told how "Father owned all the land 1n He's condescended- the whole world." She says- He was referring to Father Divine. This is what was to be as one with the seething masses, who have otherwise been said by the "lad", another "angel" who happened to be the forgotten, in their struggle for existence, and to see that they chauffeur, a young man by the name of "Mr. Charlie," who get the right to live and eat regularly. Now, all in all, I ask you, what more of a god do you W!j.nt, than one wh~'ll give you shelter, had in his system a form of taxation which he wanted to food to eat, clothes to wear, and freedom from sickness, worry, give the world. Listen to what he said: and fear? Now isn't that wonderful? And then to think he's "Father owned all the land in the world and nobody hain't seen made Harlem his home and receives his mail only a few doors up no pieces of paper with his name signed onto it selling the land the street. It's truly wonderful, I say, don't you?" to somebody else." He added that lots of people were coming Here is an expression from this "angel" which shows just around wondering "where Father git his money," and told his enthusiastic listeners that "Father, he got all the money in the what that faith is that is being taught by this "god"; the Universe, but he ain't got a red cent on him." faith that is being followed as Father Divine's faith by Lighting into the politicians, he told of their shJ)rtcomings and 30,000,000 people, according to Father Divine, or, according how they had to put so many on relief because they didn't know their business, and, reaching his grand finale, he shouted: to an estimate by uninterested writers, 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 "Father"- people are following those teachings, as outlined by Lily Dove, who happens to be an "angel" and a very close adherent to That is, he is talking about Father Divine. Father Divine. "Father, he gon'a drive all them crooks out of office. Maybe I'll Mr. President, this illustrates that if Father Divine and his be President." c.ult can keep on and get possession of one little group here, That was his view-that he might be President. He is and of one little group there, and of another little group · thinking about it. _ some place else, sooner or later the Senate is going to be asked to vote favorably upon bills to give to the Negro race And the way his audience laughed and applauded, maybe he would be, if they could have the say. Mister Charlie is said by social equality, for that is what they are after! Make no some to have been a former Harlem gangster gambler and late mistake about it! I propose to show to the Senate that this representative of the policy game racketeers. 828 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 That is the history of Mr. Charlie, who is a cbau1feur of I read from page 236: "god," and who is now saying that maybe he is going to be Speaking of politics and politicians and of his opponents who President of the United States sooner or later. ridiculed the idea of "God entering politics,'' Father Divine de I could continue reading from the life history and the clared: "They have striven to keep the Christ completely out of poli views of this man who calls himself "god"-- tics, telling you God and religious people would not be in politics; The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator suspend in the corruptibleness of the politicians and the wickedness of while the Senate receives a message from the President of the wicked; He would not function in their expression-but He came among them to ·convert them. For this cause r am and the United States? . have as much right in politics as I have in the church, and really Mr. ELLENDER. If I do not lose the floor. I have more right in politics than I have 1n the church. The PRESIDING OFFICER. It will not affect the Sena- This is an expression from "god"; that he has more right, tor's right to the floor. more interest, I suppose, in politics than he has in church, Mr. ELLENDER. Very well. although he is "god." The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana. Mr. ELLENDER. Mr. President, as I just said, I could On January 10, 11, and 12, 1936-- continue reading about "Sister Bouquet'' and some more Listen to this .. This appears on all of his stationery. Fol .. about "Peaceful Mary," "Faithful Mary," "Mary Magdalene," lowing 1936, in addition to using the usual "A. D."-"anno and quite a number of others of these angelic figures who Domini"-he has added "F. D." He uses on his stationery adorn the heavens in New York, probably in Indianapolis, "A. D. F. D."-"anno Domini Father Divine." He has gone here in Washington, and in other sections of the country, but so far as to stamp on his own literature and his own letters I do not care to do so at this time. I ask Senators, and all "A. D. F. D." Senators, think of it! Some Americans are others listening to me, including the correspondents in the actually following such foolishness, such an irreligious cult; press gallery, to read this book, which is very interesting. It 'following teachings that are bound to lead that cult to such shows what we would be headed for in this country should a point where Christianity, although the dominant religion the Congress grant the various requests which are before us here, will be cast aside for the worship of onions, goats, ele now, and others which will come just as surely as I am speak phants, chickens, doves, and so forth- ing and as certainly as there is snow on the ground outside Father Divine's peace mission movement met in an international of the Capitol Building today; that we would be headed for righteous government convention at St. Nicholas Palace in New the same demoralization of ciVilization that has prevailed in York City and there established a platform, which is an expan sion and detailed enlargement of the movement slogan, "One for India, Egypt, and Haiti, and. which is now permeating certain all and all for one, but not for one who's not for all." South American countries, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, as_well as France. That is his slogan. I will read it again: I do not want such a thing to come to pass in this country "One for all and all for one, but not for one who's not for all." of ours, and as long as I am a Member of the Senate the The politico-religious leader himself sent out personal invita.. tions to the President of the United States, many Governors, Sen· white people of the United States can depend on the junior ators, Representatives, mayors, and other officials requesting thetr Senator from Louisiana to fight in every way he knows how, attendance. The following is a copy of his letter to Preside!U with all the power that is in him, for white supremacy as Roosevelt: against ·an amalgamation of the races, or a mongrelization, As I pointed out a while ago, Father Divine has been hold which would lead to a deterioration of the country we all ing these hallelujah meetings to get his cult together love so dearly. throughout the country, and in order probably to get a large .. I am going to skip quite a number of pages because of lack attendance, although he is "god," I will say to the Senator of time. The REcORD will show that I have an agreement from Pennsylvania [Mr. GUFFEY], he seeks, apparently, the with the Senate that I shall get thr.ough with my remarks highest in society, the highest in politics, so that he can get today·. However, I may say that I have enough data on my a crowd and get more present to join the cult. I want Sena desk and around me to speak for a few more days-- tors to listen to the letter that he addressed to the President. Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield to Mr. GUFFEY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield to me me for a question? for a question? Mr. ELLENDER. I yield to the Senator for a question; Mr. ELLENDER. I yield. yes. Mr. GUFF'EY. In respect to his desire to have a crowd Mr. CONNALLY. Does the Senator say that he is going does Father Divine differ from the former leader in Loui to skip several pages? siana, Senator Long? Mr. ELLENDER. I will skip several pages of this book; Mr. ELLENDER. The Senator from Pennsylvania has yes. touched a very tender spot in my heart; I wish, sir, that I Mr. CONNALLY. Is not the Senator afraid that if he had but time to talk about Huey Long. I want to tell you, sir, does he will come within the recently invoked rule and lose that before this debate ends I propose to speak again, because, the floor? as I said yesterday, so far as the junior Senator from Loui Mr. ELLENDER. No; I am not afraid of that. I am siana is concerned, he is going to remain on this floor as long deliberately skipping several pages in this book. If I had as there is breath in him before that bill shall pass. I may not made what I consider an agreement with the Senate on have the opportunity to give Senators the history of the yesterday that I would conclude my remarks today, I would immortal Huey, a man whose name will go down in history be perfectly willing to keep on with this discussion until when a good many of his critics will be forgotten before they next week, if necessary, and I believe that I have sufiicient are cold in the grave. material on hand to make this bill and other bills like it PEACE appear ridiculous. and to show what we are headed for if January 6, 1936. A. D. F. D.- this country of ours were socially to recognize the Negroes of this Nation. Again "A. D. F. D." follows the 1936-- Oh, how I glory in the South for its fight for white su Special delivery. Registered air mail. Return receipt requested. premacy! Hon. Franklln D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, White Chapter 14 of this book is entitled "God Enters Politics." House, Washington, D. C. Honorable sir- That is Father Divine. Here the Senate is going to have Before I read from the letter itself it will be noted further brought home to it what this son of a Negro slave from on, as I said a while ago, that Father Divine at one of these Georgia is preaching to his cult, and is attempting to shoul meetings forgot to invite the Pope. He wanted the Pope at der onto the American people. He, by the way, is one who is Rome to be there. And just to show that he is a real go-getter being courted by politicians of the city and State of New when it comes to trying to get a crowd, he wants big folks up York, and these politicians, in order to get support from there on the platform, the big white folks there to draw the his angels and his whole coterie, pretend to voluntarily rub crowd, and following that routine of business, in order to get elbows with him. the multitUde there, he invites the big boys, not only the 1938 _CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 829 President, but _he includes the Governors, the Senators, the Your particular attention to this. Here was the convention Representatives, and everybody else who might be signifi of this cult, dominated by Father Divine, in which this de cantly interested in his behavior. mand was made. I write as I wish to advise-- They demanded immediate legislation in every State and county making it a crime to discriminate in any public place against any Speaks this "god" to the President of the United States individual on account of race, creed, or color. ! write as I wish to advise, I, Rev. M. J. Divine, my Peace Mi&- sion Movement and other Cooperating Organizations are repre That is in the platform of that cult. That is what they are senting righteousness, justice and truth, and have organized a working toward. They desire, as fast as they can get it, not righteous Government department in connection with our move only political equality but social equality; and that is what ment under the Constitution of the United States and in accord it is coming to. Here is a cult that is more or less powerful with same. We are holding an International Righteous Government Con among a certain class of those easily persuaded, demanding vention on the tenth, eleventh and twelfth at the Rockland Pal that every State legislature pass a law, in effect, giving to ace, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street and Eighth Avenue, New their cult and to other members of their race social equality. York City, and the New Star Casino, One Hundred and Seventh Street, near Park Avenue, New York City, and also at the St. That is what we are headed for unless America takes heed of Nicholas Palace, 69 West Sixty-sixth Street, near Eighth Avenue, the warning which I have been proclaiming to the Senate with New York City, on January 10, 11, and 12. all the earnestness of my being. We do hereby request the honor of your presence and any I read again: of your staff to speak on our program at any of these places on any date convenient to you. They demanded immediate legislation in every State and county I thank you in advance for your participation in the act of making it a crime to discriminate in any public place against any further establishing righteousness, truth, and justice for all hu individual on account of race, creed, or color; a-lso for abolishing all manity. I have sent out a general invitation to all of the segregated neighborhoods, likewise all segregated schools and col leading classes of people through the New York Times, Monday leges, and all segregated areas and churches> theaters, public convey the 6th, but, of course, we have sent out some special invitations ances, and other public places. They also call for laws making it a to some that we consider might be interested in speaking in this crime for any newspaper, magazine, or other publication to use seg great convention, and also to learn and know of our righteous regated or slang words referring to race, creed, or color of any indi government platform. for which we stand, that all may be con vidual or group. Other legislation in reference to discrimination by cerned might be even as I am- the civil service and employers in general was demanded, as were laws prohibiting different wage scales or salaries for "what they Listen to this-- term different races, creeds, or color." The group also called for the abolition in all educational institutions and in all books used for for this leaves me well, healthy, joyful, peaceful, lively, loving, educational purposes of all references to racial confiicts or differ successful, prosperous-- ences and to national glory through m1lltary feats. He must be prosperous when he has hundreds of colored That is what that cult, led by the "almighty" Father Divine, followers who cling to him. I again ask the question, Where "god," is preaching. does he get the money to cement such loyalty? I think I can The immediate repeal of all laWB in the United States and else show that after a while. where that have been passed contrary to the spirit and meaning of the Constitution of the United States was directed. Likewise, the Lively, loving, successful, and happy in spirit, mind, and body, destruction by both nations and individuals of all firearms and and in every organ, muscle, sinew, vein, and bone, and even in every instruments of war within their borders, except those actually atom, fiber, and cell of my bodily form.. needed for law enforcement. Respectfully and sincerely, I am, They demanded the repeal of all laws providing for any form. of Rev. M. J. DiviNE, compulsory insurance. The platform quoted Father Divine to the (Better known as Father Divine.) e1Iect, "As far as taking out insurances, we will not tolerate it, and M.J.D.r. I would tell the President so"; and that if necessary they would break the law instead of taking out "insurance to mistrust God That, Senators, is a letter that the President of the United and visualize disappointments, failures, accidents, and disasters." , States received from this "god" to attend this convention. The abolishment of capital punishm~nt in all States and counties There is no record of the attendance of any important Govern was one of the planks adopted, and they demanded new legislation ment officials at the convention; but, in one form. or another, a whereby- goodly number of them sent their regrets, and the local political organizations had their observers in attendance at the convention. Listen to this: The first piece of business transacted by the convention was the They demanded new legislation whereby the physician who takes approval of an extra-political resolution. A disciple arose and, charge of a patient must guarantee a complete cure and be liable after he had been recognized by Cha.lrm.an Madison, stated- for damages in the event of death. Listen to this. Here was the convention, which had been Think of a thing like that being advocated by a cult here called to order, and I am going to tell Senators what the in America! Listen to it; let me bring its significance home first resolution was. I imagine they can guess what it was to you in this bill: before I tell them. But, anyway, one of these "angels" got Again the platform quoted Father Divine, "If for any cause my up and made this motion: spirit- I move that Father Divine is god. This is "god" speaking from his platform- [Laughter.] "!! for any cause my spirit and my mind and my impersonal presence cannot reach your afflicted or sick children or those that He was already "god," but it seems that at this meeting he are concerned, and heal them, you can have a physician and should wanted it affirmatively declared by his cult, so one of his have one. But remember the physicians must guarantee the cure angels got up and said to the cult in convention: and guarantee the life and health of the individual. This is a law within a law, and I put it forth as a rebuttal to that of medical I move that Father Divine is god. science. The chairman put the motion to the assemblage and called for a vote. There were no nays; the resolution was passed unanimously. Here we are going back to real voodooism as it is practiced At the end of the 3 days a platform. had been formulated and in Africa. If I cannot reach the afilicted get a physician. adopted. It was divided into four sections: (1) Principles, (2) Here is ~ part of a platform that is a challenge to" medical Economic, (3) Political, and (4) Educational. Under each di vision the main plank, racial nondiscrimination, led a wide variety science in this country and medical science in the world, with of tenets on many different subjects. this country leading it, and here is a cult that has been Quoting, "Of one blood God formed all nations," from the Bible, permitted to prosper under colored domination and is ad they pointed out in the platform that both the Scriptures and vancing such ideas as I have been reading from this volume. science attested the whole human race to be essentially one. They attacked the persecution of the JeWB in Germany and else This is a law within a law, and I put it forth as a rebuttal to where, and "the oppression of all minorities," and declared that the that of medical science. If they will try to bind mankind to their division of humanity into pol1t1ca1 nations had led to continuous rulings, they must be subject to a ruling also • • • the law is warfare and widespread poverty and distress all through the ages. not worth a dime that is not giving equal rights on either side. For this reason they refused to identify themselves with any nation or race, but stated that, "We do endorse and support the Consti This is Father Divine speaking- tution of the United States as the foundation for all government Thousands of people are homeless, thousands of them are mother to build upon." less and fatherless, yea, even familyless. Whole families have They demanded immediate legislation 1n every State- died by operations. Whole families have been forced to have 830 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 physicians, and still they died after the physicians and hospitals the union, and they will not give him work to do. • • • If the had taken all their money. When the physician takes charge of labor unions that limit workers to 5 days a week will guarantee the you physically, he must guarantee your health and complete happi workers 5 days' work each week and will guarantee to pay them ness and cure from that afiliction and all of the diseases for which what they_are dem~nding from the employers when they call them they are treating you. out on stnke, we Wlll endorse them. Otherwise, we will not tolerate them. There, Senators, is a passage I have read from what I will The platform called for legislation abolishing lynching- call the constitution of this cult, which defies medical science and says to a doctor, "If you are called in to cure a patient, Here it is. This is what I referred to a while ago. Here is you must guarantee that you are going to make him well. the platform. The Senator from New York [Mr. WAGNER] If you do not, we's going to charge you some damages." is a coauthor of the pending bill. In order, I suppose, for him How does Father Divine want to cure the sick? He does to get the support of Father Divine-! do not know; I am just not say here; but I should be willing to wager that his method stretching my imagination again-but I imagine that it will of doing it would be the same as was used by his forbears in be necessary for this platform to be followed; otherwise, I dark Africa-by praying to a goat, or to an elephant, or per will say to the Senator from South Carolina [Mr. SMITH] haps rubbing the patient with a little bit of sweet oil or onion Father Divine is going to see that his "angels" and the mem~ tops. [Laughter.] That may be what his teachings will lead bers of his cult do not vote for the Senator from New York. to; and that is what this little colored man, who claims that The platform called for legislation abolishing lynching and for his cult embraces 30,000,000 members in this country, is outlawmg members of lynch mobs in all States and countries. preaching to those members. Read the antilynching bill, and you will find that written To the average reader the foregoing doctrine will probably seem in section 3, as it at!ects the officers of the law. Under the the most radical and the most fantastic in the entire portfolio of bill, if the officer fails to make every effort to catch the _this Don Quixotic crusader. However, here again Father Divine is much in agreement with Gandhi, who declares that "disease is the members of the lynch mob, he goes to jail or the peniten result of our thoughts as much as our acts"- tiary. Now, just notice: The platform called for legislation abolishfug lynching and Gandhi, as you know, is a native of India. He is a great for outlawing members of lynch mobs in all States and countries. man in India. I will not say that he is considered a god, but he is considered some kind of a healer, a man who has the That is the platform, and that is the way the pending bill power of healing by a mere touch of the hand, and you are is written. well. He can cure you overnight. Just touch his garments Mr. SMITH. Mr. President--- and you are cured. That is why I say to the Senator from The Presiding Officer prophecy that the the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, and my reason for asking the trident standard shall be universally established and accepted as question was that there appears in this book the following the fundamental by "every nation, language, tongue, and people." paragraph: Following the completion of the convention's business and its adjournment, a copy of the platform adopted was released to the According to Senator WAGNER's advice to Father Divine, Vice newspapers. Als6 Father Divine again personally wrote the more President Garner had had the Divine platform read into the important Government officials, political and other leaders, calling CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. their attention to the platform and enclosing a copy thereof. Although the Pope had not been invited to attend the conven Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? tion, he was blessed with a copy of the platform, with the following Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. letter from its protagonist: Mr. CONNALLY. Will not the Senator repeat that? I This is a letter sent to the Pope; too late, however, for did not get it clear. the Pope to come to New York and attend the convention, Mr. ELLENDER. A while ago I asked the clerk to check but in order that the Pope might not be slighted they sent up and see whether or not this platform was ever printed him a copy of all the proceedings. · in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, and my reason for asking 832 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 was that in this book I noticed that there was a special para out whether the statement contained in the paragraph I just graph reading as follows: read was carried ~ut. According to Senator WAGNER's advice to Father Divine, Vice Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. The Senator believes in the first President Garner had had the Divine platform read into the CoN amendment to the Constitution? GRESSIONAL RECORD. Mr. ELLENDER. Certainly I do. Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. So the Senator is not attempt further? ing to cast any reflection upon the Senator from New York Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a further question. [Mr. WAGNER] or the Vice President of the United States? Mr. CONNALLY. What does the RECORD actually show? Mr. ELLENDER. No; not in the least. I would not have Mr. ELLENDER. The RECORD shows that it was not read mentioned the matter in the course of the debate had not or published. I asked for the information of the clerk and a question been asked me by the Senator from Texas [Mr. a certain document was sent to me, which I did not read, CoNNALLYJ. I asked the clerk to let me know whether the but I am informed that the platform was not read, and that platform had been made a part of the RECORD. Instead of it was not made a part of the RECORD. That is my informa reading the platform from the book I would have read it as tion. it was printed in the REcoRD had it been placed there. That Mr. CONNALLY. Will the Senator yield for a further is why I asked the clerk to check up on it. Of course, when question? the Senator from Texas asked me, after I had read the Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. paragraph, to read it again, I did read it again. Mr. CONNALLY. The book says the Senator from New · Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. Mr. President, will the Senator York [Mr. WAGNER] advised Father Divine that it had yield so I may ask him a question? been printed. Is there anything to show that the Senator Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. from New York read it or had it printed, or endeavored to Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. I just wanted to make sure that have it printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD? the Senator was not complaining because of the compliance Mr. ELLENDER. Apparently not. I asked whether or with the provisions of the first amendment of the Constitu not the document was made a part of the RECORD so that I tion, which guarantees the rights of citizens to petition their could check up with the paragraph I have just read, and I Government. was informed that it was not published or read. Mr. ELLENDER. I am not complaining of that, I will say Mr. McKELLAR. Mr. President-- to the Senator from Washington. But, I repeat, my idea was The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. JOHNSON of Colorado in to quote the platform from the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. the chair). Does the Senator from Louisiana yield to the Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield to Senator from Tennessee? me for a question? Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. I may state to Mr. McKELLAR. Is Father Divine one of the advocates the Senator that I agreed to try to wind up at 5 o'clock, but of the pending bill? I doubt if I will be able to wind up at 5 o'clock. Mr. ELLENDER. Is he! I claim that everything in the Mr. CONNALLY. I hope the Senator stays wound up. bill, even to the provision for the prosecution of the omcer, [Laughter. J and the punishing of the persons who are part of the mob, Mr. ELLENDER. It is not a question of the Senator re is provided in terms like those found in this book. Let me maining wound up. He is already wound up and ready to go; read it again. · I read from page 243. much more power remains. · The platform called for legislation abolishing lynching and for Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President. will the Senator yield for outlawing members of lynch mobs in all States and countries. a further question? Father Divine later stated that every person who was a member of a lynch mob that kills a man should be classed as a murderer and Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. punished as the laws of the particular States punish murderers, Mr. CONNALLY. I want to be fair to the Senator from · and not only that "but everyone who is known to participate in a Washington [Mr. SCHWELLENBACH], and to the Senator from mob violence should be classed and found guilty as a murderer, [Mr. Is whatsoever that means." New York WAGNER], who is not here. the Senato1· aware that in the CONGRESSIONAL REcORD Of recent date Mr. McKELLAR. Mr. President, may I ask the Senator appears the following: another question? The Vice President laid before the Senate a resolution of the Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. International Righteous Government Convention remonstrating : Mr. McKELLAR. It has been frequently charged on the against war, the sale or manufacture of war materials 1n the . :floor of the Senate that someone is in the gallery leading United States, and the loan of money to any warring nation. this fight. Is Father Divine in the ga.Ilery leading the fight? Mr. ELLENDER. I was not aware of that. I will say to • Mr. ELLENDER. I do not know, but I would be willing the Senator from Texas, but what the Senator is now reading ' to wager that a few "angels" might be found in this audi from is not the platform about which I read a while ago. It! ence. [Laughter.] For all I know, the angel "Mary Mag is a totally different proposition. dalene" might be facing the Senate, or probably "Sister Mr. CONNALLY. Will the Senator yield for another . Bouquet," another one of the angels, or perhaps "Faithful question? Mary," who wrote the green book from which I read, might Mr. ELLENDER. I yield. be in the gallery. I may be wrong about that, but the Sena Mr. CONNALLY. If Father Divine is God, why does he tor has asked the question, and I have answered it to the not stop wars instead of "resoluting" against them? best of my ability; and on occasions I have had to stretch Mr. ELLENDER. That is what I would like to know. 1. my imagination a little. [Laughter.] continue to read on page 251: Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. Mr. President, will the Senator Father Divine 1s emphatic that his group are not interested 1n . yield? forming another party. Although he and his followers supported . Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. La Guardia in the 1933 New York City mayoralt}! campaign, he is Mr. SCHWELLENBACH. Is the Senator complaining of apparently more in accord with the doctrines of the Communist Party than with those of any other political organiza.tion. He has the fact that what he calls a platform was sent to the Con often cooperated with the Communist group in their peace parades gress of the United States? and meetings, and once, denying a rumor that Moscow financed Mr. ELLENDER. No; I am not. My only reason for ask the Peace Mission Movement, the colored messiah stated that to 1 ing that the clerk check the matter and find out whether or the contrary he had at times helped the Communists financially. · not the platform was placed in the RECORD was that this Mr. McKELLAR. Mr. President, will the Senator yield to paragraph appeared in the book. I, of course, have no ob me for a question? jection to the platform being printed in the RECORD if certain Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. Senators want it printed. I do not care about that. My only Mr. McKELLAR. I ask, If Father Divine is God, is there reason for having the matter checked was that I might find any evidence to show who his representative is down here? 1938 CONGRESSIONA:C ~CORD-SENATE 833 Mr. ELLENDER. I suppose he ought to have a few angels That is what is coming. I repeat what I said earlier today. 1n Washington, because he has 60 heavens in Washington, & far as ALLEN ELLENDER, junior Senator from Louisiana, is 24 States, and 4 countries. concerned, he would be willing to vo.te tomorrow for there Mr. McKELLAR. Sixty heavens! [Laughter.] peal.of the fifteenth amendment granting the- Negro suffrage, Mr. ELLENDER. Yes. The book says that he haS 60 because if all States of the Union give political equality; to the heavens in Washington, 24 States, and 4 countries, and I colored people, leaders. like "god," and others in those cities, am told that they are all filled with fiuttering angels. who control a little clique of voters here, and another oveJ: [Laughter.] there will seek more and more social equality, and what I am: Mr. McKELLAR. Fluttering angels! [Laughter.] warning of will come to pass. Senators sitting here may not Mr. ELLENDER. Yes. All lively too. I have been in see it. My bey may not see it. No one In this audience may formed-! may be wrong, and if so, I will correct it later see it. But I am speaking now for future generations and on in the RECORD-that the angels are the collectors. They for the progress of America. I do. not want America to stag• are compelled to give the collections of all they make to nate. I do not want it to go backward. I want it to pro Father Divine. That is how he gets the mazum.a. [Laughter.] gress. And I say, just as truly as I am speaking to the Sen I continue reading because I want to complete my state ate, if we permit the mongrelization of the American race ment this afternoon. I know I cannot complete my speech with the colored people, we will have the decay of our Amer by 5, but I will try. [Laughter.} ican civilization. I continue to read: I repeat, Senators, I do not want the South again to ex Speaking of political parties, Father Divine declared: "The party perience conditions similar to those that she suffered follow or parties which desire my support, tell them I said, 'Give me ing the Civil War. I do not want Federal soldiers, colored something better than the Communists offer.! This. is what I say; soldiers,. to tramp the- streets of New Orleans and try to make but, remember, this is not confined to the Communist Party, neither the Democrats, Republicans, nor Social:ists, for I have· the white people in the State of Louisiana take their medi brought to the surface something better than the Communists cine." We. are able to handle our local affairs, and will, tool offer." Mr. President, I have a few: more facts to introduce. I That is Divine's platform. That is "god" speaking. have presented a picture to the Senate, and I hope to the American people. I have something-and I am something-better than the Com munists offer. And better than all of the partisan parties. 1 do not want to try to create any sentiment which may lead to trouble. I sympathize. and always. have sympathized Several Senators have recently come into the Chamber. with the eolored people of the South., I like them. If in the There are more Senators present now than before. I do not past a few of them have been lynched, I say that at such suppose they heard some of the things I have read. I wish times those who have done so have been led by the same to let those Senators know exactly what absurdities this. class of people who commit murder in Chicago, in Baltimore, "god" has been spreading over the radio. Here is a picture or in New York. him I of talking over the radio. do not know what the lan I do not knnw whether this bi:I1 is going to pass ar not. I guage under the picture means, but I am going to read it :nope it does not. In fact I kno.w it. wnr not if I can keep on again, and I am going to ask some Senator, on his own time. talking a little bit longer. We might talk it sick or talk it of course, not on mine naughterJ, to tell me what this to: death. We might just talk it. out of business, in other means. Listen to this. This is Father Divine talking. Look words. [Laughter.] at him-his mouth is wide open, near the microphone: . So far as I am ce1>ncerned, I wish to do my share in defeat I have not yet done anything to what I will do-not so. much as ing it, and I. am willing to continue speaking until tomorrow a percent of a percent of a percent of a fraction of a grain of what I will do universally, as well as among you. if necessary, and the day after that. I am going to keep on exerting eveFY effort. As I said yesterday, so far as I I shall reread that. am concerned, I do not want this bill ro stand in the way I have not yet done anything to what I will do-not so much of any necessal'Y legislation. PeFsonally, I should be willing as a percent of a percent of a percent of a fraction of a grain of what I will dt> universally, as well as among you. I to set this bill aside today or tomorrow and take up other 1 l-egislation, and then come back and go- to the bat on it after If that is not English gone haywire, I want to know· what it is. [Laughter.] we finish the other legislation. That is what I am willing to d'o. I do not know how other Members of the Senate who I read further. are interested in this matter feel about that, but that is Asked another time about his cooperation with the Communists, I Father Divine replied: what am willing to do. "I stand for anyone who will deal justly between man and man. Mr. President and Members of the Senate. it is now 5 The Communists stand for social equality- o'clock. r think I can get through in 10 or 15 minutes, and There it is-"The Communists stand for social equality." l ask the Senate's indulgence for that additional time. Sev The- Communists stand for social equaJI:ty, politieal and economic eral Senators have interrupted me for the purpose of asking equality, and for justice in every issue, and this is the principle questions. If those questions had not been asked perhaps for which I stand. I am not especially representing religion. I am ! might have completed my speech by 5 o'elock as per an representing God on earth among men and. I wilt cooperate with I rest any organization that will stand for the right and deal justly. understanding with the Senate. am now willing to the • • • I know the higher-ups ru:e oppressing the people. and I case, as we sometimes say in court. · will end this by righteousness, not by violence. I find fault with I should like later to talk just a little· bit more, however,. the Communist methods, but not their aims. I teach peace. and try, if I can, to bring some additional enlightenment to There will be an end to all oppression and suppression and raee prejudice, and I will bring it about personally. bear on the subject. The next thing I should like to talk about. if it is necessary Mr. President, that is "god" speaking. That is Father Divine speaking. and if I may present· all the facts. i'S' to show what the South has done in order to help the Negro of the South economically The Communist Party stands for social equa.liity, political to him equality, economic equality, and I, God, With all my angles, believe and in every other way except permit social equality in that. with the whites. I venture t~ say that we are doing just as Of course they do. Just as surely as I am speakfng to the much as, if not more than, any; other part of the country in that respect. · Senate, if we give political equality to the colored race that Will happen to us of which I am now going to read. I am Mr. President, as I have just: said, while awaiting the dis not alone in my prediction. I quote in substance from Jef position of the bill before it shall came to a vote, I desire to ferson, from Lincoln, and many of those of older civiliza submit to the Senate seven separate amendments. I may tions. . Listen, Senators: have a few more later on, but for the present I have seven. Political equality leads to social equality, and social ·equality The first amendment I am not going to read, and I am not will eventually spell the decay and downfall of our Am.erican going to attempt to talk about it, except to say that the civilization. purpose of it is to prevent the marriage of a Negro with a LXXXIII--53 834 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE JANUARY 20 white, or a white with a Negro, in any State of the Union. Mr. President, it is now 5: 15 o'clock and, pursuant to my I ask that this amendment be printed following my remarks, promise, I now desire to try to close my remarks. and that a copy of it be laid on the desk of each Member of As I stated a while ago, I hope Senators will not impose the Senate; and I make the same request about each of the this bill on the South. I hope that what happened during other amendments I am about to mention. reconstruction days will not again happen down there. I con Mr. CONNALLY. Mr. President, will the Senator yield at tend that if the Federal Government had maintained the that point? Negroes of the South in power, today we might have a good Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. start on the mongrelization of our race. Mr. CONNALLY. I suggest to the Senator that he defer Suppose the strong hand and the .long arm of the Federal having the amendments printed until he is ready to con Government had remained in the South, had permitted the clude his remarks. Otherwise, some Senator may prevent colored people to have and to hold our chief offices there. him from concluding them. Can you not visualize what would have happened? I hope Mr. ELLENDER. I am about ready to conclude my re my warnings, my arguments, will not fall on deaf ears, not marks. I want to fulfill my promise to the Senator from only for the good of the Negro, but for the advancement of Indiana [Mr. MINTON] to conclude my remarks at 5 o'clock. our progressive civilization. I have just a few more words to say, and then I shall sur 0 Mr. President, but for the foresight, but for the valor, render the floor. but for the bravery, but for the courage of the white men That is the first amendment. and the white women of the South who, following the Civil If that should happen to fail, the next amendment is to War, fought for the supremacy of their race, and whose the effect that if one State of the Union, or a number of bodies now lie beneath the sod of the old South in dreamless States of the Union, happen to have statutes preventing sleep, these walls might never have echoed the voices of the intermarriage of white and colored persons, such couples John Bankhead, Edward Douglas White, Isom Harris, Joseph married in other States that permit it shall not be permitted T. Robinson, Duncan Fletcher, Oscar Underwood, the im to come· into the States where such marriages are pro mortal Huey P. Long, Charles Culberson, Nathan Bryan, Don hibited. aldson Caffery, Ollie M. James, Hugo Black, Benjamin H. Hill, If that amendment fails, I have still another amendment Wade Hampton, Zebulon B. Vance, L. Q. C. Lamar, Thomas S. to prevent marriages in the District of Columbia between Martin, and other illustrious sons of the South, including our Negroes and whites, or whites and Negroes. esteemed and beloved Vice President and Presiding Officer, Then I have a series of amendments, three in number, John Nance Garner. which are in a measure self-explanatory. They provide that The struggle was costly; it was bitter; but oh, how sweet if any damages are otherwise payable under this bill as the the victory! Let us not reward the deeds of those men and result of a lynching, if the facts show the person who was women with a crown of thorns, but, instead, let us perpetuate lynched was guilty of the crime he was accused of committing, their memories with this challenge, "We shall at all cost his heirs or next of kin cannot recover. I have three amend preserve the white supremacy of America." ments of that kind which I should like to offer. I ask that (The amendments referred to by Mr. ELLENDER in his all of them be printed at the end of my remarks. speech, and intended to be proposed by him to the pending . The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the va bill, are as follows:) rious amendments referred to by the Senator from Louisiana NO. 1 will be printed at the end of the Senator's remarks. On page 11, after line 23, insert the following new section: "SEc. 7. It shall be unlawful for any white person to marry a Mr. BONE. Mr. President, will the Senator yield? Negro, or for any Negro to marry a white person. Any person Mr. ELLENDER. I yield for a question. who violates the provision of this section shall, upon conviction Mr. BONE. I was wondering if the amendment which the thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or im Senator tenders, preventing the heirs of the deceased from prisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, and the marriage shall be null and void." recovering in case of his guilt, would not amount to trying NO.2 a man for a crime after he is dead. On page 11, after line 23, insert the following new section: Mr. ELLENDER. No; under the bill, the damages are pay "SEc. 7. It shall be unlawful for any husband and wife, being able to the heirs or next of kin of the deceased; and my of different races, to enter any State, if under the laws of such State it .is unlawful for the members of such races to intermarry. amendment states that if the facts show that the deceased, Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon the man who was lynched, was guilty of the crime he was conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $ or 1m supposed to have committed, there shall be no responsibility. prisonment for not more than - years, or both." Mr. BONE. Would not that imply trying a man after he NO. 3 is dead, or trying the facts of the case after he is dead? On page 11, after line 23, insert the following new section: Mr. ELLENDER. No; I do not mean trying the man, "SEc. 7. It shall be unlawful for any white person to marry a Negro, or for any Negro to marry a white person, in the District of Mr. President; I mean if the facts show that the person Columbia. Any person who violates the provision of this section accused of the crime that led to his lynching was guilty, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more there shall be no recovery of damages. than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, and The next amendment I offer is one making it a capital the marriage shall be null and void." offense for any person to commit the crime of rape. NO. • CALIFORNIA DEBRIS COMMISSION Col. Warren T. Hannum, Corps of Engineers, United States Amendment intended to be proposed by Mr. HAYDEN and Mr. Army, to be a member of the california Debris Commission TRUMAN to the bill (H. R. 8838) to amend the Federal Aid Highway vice Col John J. Kingman, Corps of Engineers, United Sta.tes Act, approved July 11, 1916, as amended and supplemented, and for other purposes, viz: On page 8 strike out lines 7 to 16, in Army, relieved. clusive, and insert in lieu thereof the following: UNITED STATES DisTRICT JUDGE "SEc. 12. No sums appropriated after January 1, 1940, for the purpose of carrying out the·provisions of the Federal Highway Act, Hon. Robert A. Cooper, of South Carolina, to be United as amended and supplemented, shall be paid to any State unless States district judge for the district of Pueito Rico. (Judge 1938 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 837 Cooper is now serving in this office under an appointment APPOINTMENTS IN THE REGULAR ARMY which expires January 24, 1938.) Chaplain